CVE-2025-29913
📋 TL;DR
A critical heap buffer overflow vulnerability in CryptoLib versions 1.3.3 and prior allows attackers to cause denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code by sending maliciously crafted telecommand frames. This affects spacecraft communications secured with the SDLS-EP protocol using vulnerable CryptoLib implementations. Space agencies and organizations using cFS with CryptoLib for spacecraft-ground communications are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- NASA CryptoLib
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution on spacecraft systems, allowing complete compromise of spacecraft operations and potential mission failure.
Likely Case
Denial of service causing loss of spacecraft communications and control, requiring ground intervention to restore operations.
If Mitigated
Segmentation fault causing temporary communication disruption until system restart, with no persistent compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires sending malicious telecommand frames to vulnerable systems. No public exploit code available as of advisory.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/security/advisories/GHSA-q4v2-fvrv-qrf6
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update CryptoLib to version 1.3.4 or later. 2. Rebuild and redeploy cFS applications using CryptoLib. 3. Restart affected spacecraft systems.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allImplement telecommand frame validation to reject malformed frames before processing by CryptoLib
# Custom implementation required based on cFS configuration
Network Segmentation
allIsolate spacecraft communication networks from untrusted sources
# Configure firewall rules to restrict telecommand sources
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit telecommand sources to authorized ground stations only
- Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous telecommand patterns and block suspicious traffic
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CryptoLib version in use. If version <= 1.3.3, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check build configuration or source code for CryptoLib version identifierVerify Fix Applied:
Verify CryptoLib version is 1.3.4 or later and confirm successful deployment of updated cFS applications.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Segmentation fault errors in cFS logs
- Unexpected process termination of CryptoLib components
- Telecommand processing failures
Network Indicators:
- Unusual telecommand frame patterns
- Multiple failed telecommand attempts from single source
- Traffic spikes to telecommand ports
SIEM Query:
source="cfs_logs" AND ("segmentation fault" OR "Crypto_TC_Prep_AAD" OR "buffer overflow")