CVE-2025-59704: Entrust nShield HSM BIOS access without password authentication

CVE-2025-59704 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.6 · Published 2025-12-02

Entrust nShield HSMs (Connect XC, 5c, and HSMi) are hardware security modules that protect cryptographic keys and execute secure operations for enterprises. An attacker with physical access to the device can bypass BIOS authentication entirely and gain unauthorized access to the BIOS menu, potentially allowing firmware modification or other system-level attacks. This undermines the core security guarantees of the hardware and could lead to complete device compromise.

Technologies: Entrust nShield Connect XC, Entrust Nshield 5c, Entrust Nshield Hsmi. Vendors: Entrust.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2025-59704 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2025-59704 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2025-59704?
Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.6, published 2 December 2025.
Which products and versions are affected?
Entrust nShield Connect XC through 13.6.11; 13.7 (patched in 13.6.12 LTS and 13.9.0 STS); Entrust Nshield 5c through 13.6.11; 13.7 (patched in 13.6.12 LTS and 13.9.0 STS); Entrust Nshield Hsmi through 13.6.11; 13.7 (patched in 13.6.12 LTS and 13.9.0 STS).
Is there a fix for CVE-2025-59704?
A patch was published on 2025: Patches released in nShield 13.6.12 (LTS) and 13.9.0 (STS) Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2025-59704 attacked?
It is attacked with physical access.
Am I affected by CVE-2025-59704?
Check whether you run Entrust nShield Connect XC, Entrust Nshield 5c or Entrust Nshield Hsmi at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

The vulnerability is an improper authentication flaw (CWE-287) in the BIOS menu access control of affected nShield HSM models. The BIOS menu is accessible without any password or authentication mechanism, allowing an attacker with physical access to the device to directly manipulate firmware settings. This is compounded by related vulnerabilities in the boot chain (CVE-2025-59693, CVE-2025-59694, CVE-2025-59695, CVE-2025-59696) that enable firmware modification without triggering tamper protection. The attack requires physical access to the device but no special privileges or user interaction. Patches are available in nShield versions 13.6.12 (LTS) and 13.9.0 (STS).

Affected products

  • Entrust nShield Connect XC through 13.6.11; 13.7 (patched in 13.6.12 LTS and 13.9.0 STS)
  • Entrust nShield 5c through 13.6.11; 13.7 (patched in 13.6.12 LTS and 13.9.0 STS)
  • Entrust nShield HSMi through 13.6.11; 13.7 (patched in 13.6.12 LTS and 13.9.0 STS)

Timeline

  • 2025-12-02: disclosed: CVE-2025-59704 published
  • 2025: patched: Patches released in nShield 13.6.12 (LTS) and 13.9.0 (STS)

References

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