CVE-2025-54086 is an excess permissions vulnerability identified in the Warehouse component of Absolute Security's Secure Access product versions prior to 14.10. The flaw allows an attacker who has access to the local file system on a vulnerable system to read the Java keystore file, which typically contains cryptographic keys and certificates used for securing communications and authentication. The vulnerability arises because the file permissions are overly permissive, violating the principle of least privilege (CWE-276). Exploitation requires only low privileges on the local system, no user interaction, and has low attack complexity, making it relatively straightforward for an insider or malware with limited access to extract sensitive cryptographic material. The confidentiality impact is low, as the keystore exposure may not immediately lead to full system compromise but could facilitate further attacks such as man-in-the-middle or impersonation if keys are reused elsewhere. There is no impact on integrity or availability, meaning the vulnerability does not allow modification or disruption of services. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability's characteristics suggest it could be leveraged in targeted attacks. Absolute Security has reserved the CVE since July 2025, and the vulnerability was published in October 2025. No patch links are currently provided, indicating that a fix may be forthcoming or that users must upgrade to version 14.10 or later to remediate the issue.

For European organizations, the exposure of the Java keystore file could lead to the compromise of cryptographic keys used for securing internal communications, authentication, or VPN access managed by Absolute Secure Access. While the confidentiality impact is rated low, the stolen keys could enable attackers to decrypt sensitive data, impersonate legitimate services, or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, particularly in environments where key rotation is infrequent or where the same keys are used across multiple systems. This risk is heightened for sectors with stringent data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies. The lack of impact on integrity and availability reduces the risk of direct service disruption, but the potential for lateral movement and escalation remains. Since exploitation requires local file system access with low privileges, the threat is more relevant in scenarios involving insider threats, compromised endpoints, or malware that has gained foothold within the network. European organizations relying on Absolute Secure Access for secure remote access or internal segmentation should assess their exposure and implement compensating controls until patches are applied.

1. Immediately restrict local file system permissions on systems running vulnerable versions of Absolute Secure Access to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the Java keystore file. 2. Monitor and audit access to the keystore file and related directories to detect suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 3. Apply the vendor's update to version 14.10 or later as soon as it becomes available to remediate the vulnerability. 4. Implement strict endpoint security controls to prevent unauthorized local access, including the use of endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 5. Enforce key rotation policies for cryptographic materials stored in the keystore to limit the impact of potential key exposure. 6. Segment networks to limit the ability of attackers with local access on one system to move laterally to critical assets. 7. Educate system administrators and users about the risks of local privilege escalation and the importance of maintaining least privilege principles. 8. If patching is delayed, consider temporarily disabling or isolating the Warehouse component if feasible without disrupting business operations.