How severe is CVE-2025-12985?

CVE-2025-12985 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-12985 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (3rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-12985?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2025-12985 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-12985 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-3430.

When was CVE-2025-12985 published?

CVE-2025-12985 was published on 2026-01-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2025-12985

CVE-2025-12985 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-732.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (3rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-3430
Weakness: CWE-732
Published: 2026-01-20
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

IBM Licensing Operator incorrectly assigns privileges to security critical files which could allow a local root escalation inside a container running the IBM Licensing Operator image.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-12985?: IBM Licensing Operator incorrectly assigns privileges to security critical files which could allow a local root escalation inside a container running the IBM Licensing Operator image.
How severe is CVE-2025-12985?: CVE-2025-12985 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-12985 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (3rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2025-12985?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2025-12985 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2025-12985 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-3430.
When was CVE-2025-12985 published?: CVE-2025-12985 was published on 2026-01-20 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/license-service-privilege-escalation-vulnerability

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