CVE-2025-1411 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting IBM Security Verify Directory Container versions 10.0.0.0 through 10.0.3.1. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-250, which pertains to execution with unnecessary privileges. Specifically, this flaw allows a local user with limited privileges to execute commands with root-level privileges due to improper privilege management within the containerized environment of the IBM Security Verify Directory product. The vulnerability arises because certain processes or commands within the container are executed with excessive privileges, enabling privilege escalation from a local user to root. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting a high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local (AV:L), requiring low attack complexity (AC:L) and low privileges (PR:L), with no user interaction (UI:N) needed. The scope is unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker who has local access to the system running the affected IBM Security Verify Directory container, allowing them to gain root privileges and potentially take full control of the system, access sensitive data, or disrupt services.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those using IBM Security Verify Directory in containerized environments for identity and access management. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, exposing sensitive identity data and authentication credentials, which are critical for compliance with regulations such as GDPR. The ability to escalate privileges locally to root could allow attackers to bypass security controls, manipulate directory data, or disrupt authentication services, impacting business continuity and trust. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government, are particularly at risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as a foothold for lateral movement within networks, increasing the risk of broader compromise.

1. Restrict local access: Limit local user access to systems running IBM Security Verify Directory containers to trusted administrators only. 2. Implement strict container security policies: Use container runtime security features to enforce least privilege execution, such as dropping unnecessary capabilities and using user namespaces to avoid running processes as root inside containers. 3. Monitor and audit: Enable detailed logging and monitoring of container activities and privilege escalations to detect suspicious behavior early. 4. Apply vendor updates promptly: Although no patches are linked yet, organizations should monitor IBM security advisories closely and apply any released patches or mitigations as soon as they become available. 5. Use host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect unauthorized privilege escalations. 6. Employ multi-factor authentication and network segmentation to reduce the impact of a compromised system. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focusing on container environments to identify privilege escalation risks.