CVE-2025-58713 represents a medium-severity privilege escalation vulnerability found in certain Red Hat Process Automation Manager images. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit improper permissions on the /etc/passwd file, which is created with group-writable permissions during the build process. As a result, an attacker with command execution capabilities within an affected container, even as a non-root user, can modify the /etc/passwd file. This could enable the attacker to create a new user with any arbitrary UID, including UID 0, ultimately leading to full root privileges within the container.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.4, indicating a medium severity level. The high attack complexity and high privileges required for exploitation suggest that while the risk is significant, the conditions for exploitation are restrictive. However, organizations should remain vigilant as the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as high.
The urgency for defenders is high, given the potential for unauthorized access to sensitive operations within affected containers. Organizations using Red Hat Process Automation Manager should take immediate action to remediate this vulnerability to safeguard their systems.
Understanding the exploitation status of this vulnerability is crucial. As of the latest information, no public exploits or proofs of concept are available, and it is not included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Vulnerability Details
A container privilege escalation flaw was found in certain Red Hat Process Automation Manager images. This issue stems from the /etc/passwd file being created with group-writable permissions during build time. In certain conditions, an attacker who can execute commands within an affected container, even as a non-root user, can leverage their membership in the root group to modify the /etc/passwd file. This could allow the attacker to add a new user with any arbitrary UID, including UID 0, leading to full root privileges within the container.
The CVSS score is 6.4, categorized as medium severity, with the following metrics: Attack Vector (Local), Attack Complexity (High), Privileges Required (High), User Interaction (None), and impacts on Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability are all rated as High.
Affected products include Red Hat Process Automation Manager version 7.0 and potentially earlier versions.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the improper permission settings on the /etc/passwd file, which is created with group-writable permissions during the build of the affected container images. This misconfiguration opens a potential attack vector for users with local access to the container, allowing them to modify the passwd file and gain elevated privileges.
The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to execute commands within the affected container. The attack complexity is high, as the attacker must possess specific privileges (high) to exploit the vulnerability, and user interaction is not required.
The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts of this vulnerability are rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation could compromise sensitive data, modify essential configurations, and disrupt service availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes the potential for unauthorized access and control over the affected containers. Given that attackers could gain root privileges, the blast radius extends to any services or data managed within those containers, escalating the risk of data breaches or service disruptions.
The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The specific version affected by this vulnerability is Red Hat Process Automation Manager version 7.0. All versions prior to vendor patch are also potentially impacted.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches provided by Red Hat to remediate this vulnerability. It is advisable to verify the versions against the vendor advisory.
In addition to patching, organizations may consider implementing configuration hardening to restrict permissions on the /etc/passwd file. Regular audits of container permissions and configurations can help mitigate similar risks in the future.
For continuous security validation, organizations can leverage services like continuous penetration testing to evaluate their defenses.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized modifications to the /etc/passwd file within their containerized environments. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected user creations or privilege escalations, should be investigated promptly.
Network signatures that detect suspicious commands executed within containers can also aid in early detection of potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-58713 reflects ongoing challenges in container security, particularly concerning privilege escalation vulnerabilities. Security teams must remain vigilant and proactive in monitoring their containerized environments.
This vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure configurations during the build process of container images and regular audits to ensure compliance with security best practices.
For further reading on vulnerability management and best practices, consider reviewing our guide on vulnerability management programs and the importance of penetration testing methodologies in maintaining secure environments.
Security teams should continuously assess their posture and adapt to emerging threats to effectively mitigate risks associated with vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-58713.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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