CVE-2025-59702 is a hardware security module (HSM) vulnerability impacting Entrust nShield Connect XC, nShield 5c, and nShield HSMi devices through versions 13.6.11 and 13.7. The flaw allows an attacker who is physically near the device and has elevated privileges to access internal components and falsify tamper events. Tamper events are critical security signals designed to detect unauthorized physical interference with the HSM, triggering protective measures such as zeroization of keys or alerting administrators. By falsifying these events, an attacker could either mask actual tampering attempts or generate false tamper signals, potentially disrupting normal operations or causing denial of service. The vulnerability does not appear to be exploitable remotely and requires both physical proximity and elevated privileges, which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate risk in environments where physical security is insufficient. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no public exploits have been reported. The lack of patch links suggests that a fix may be forthcoming or under development. Given the critical role of HSMs in securing cryptographic keys and operations, this vulnerability could undermine the integrity and availability of cryptographic services, impacting authentication, encryption, and digital signing processes.

For European organizations, especially those in finance, government, and critical infrastructure sectors that rely on Entrust nShield HSMs, this vulnerability poses a risk to the integrity and availability of cryptographic operations. Falsified tamper events could lead to improper handling of security incidents, either by masking real physical attacks or causing unnecessary operational disruptions due to false alarms. This could result in unauthorized key access or denial of cryptographic services, potentially compromising sensitive data and trust in security systems. The requirement for physical access and elevated privileges reduces the likelihood of widespread exploitation but highlights the importance of strong physical security controls. Organizations with distributed or less physically secure HSM deployments may be more vulnerable. The absence of known exploits provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the critical nature of HSMs means even limited exploitation could have significant consequences.

1. Enforce strict physical security controls around HSM devices, including secure facilities, access logging, and surveillance to prevent unauthorized physical proximity. 2. Limit elevated privileges to a minimal number of trusted personnel and enforce strong authentication and authorization policies. 3. Monitor tamper event logs closely for anomalies or patterns indicative of falsification or tampering attempts. 4. Coordinate with Entrust for timely updates and patches addressing this vulnerability once released. 5. Implement layered security controls such as network segmentation and intrusion detection to detect and respond to suspicious activities around HSMs. 6. Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on physical and logical access controls to HSMs. 7. Develop incident response plans that consider the possibility of tamper event falsification to ensure appropriate reactions to alerts. 8. Consider hardware upgrades or replacements if patches are delayed or unavailable, especially for high-risk environments.