CVE-2025-64096
📋 TL;DR
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in CryptoLib's Crypto_Key_update() function allows remote attackers to trigger memory corruption by sending specially crafted TLV packets with spoofed length fields. This affects spacecraft communications using the SDLS-EP protocol with cFS ground stations. Organizations using CryptoLib versions before 1.4.2 for space-ground communications are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- NASA CryptoLib
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete compromise of spacecraft communications, potential command injection, or denial of service affecting mission operations.
Likely Case
Denial of service through application crashes, memory corruption disrupting communications, or limited data manipulation.
If Mitigated
If proper network segmentation and input validation are in place, impact is limited to isolated communication disruptions.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of SDLS-EP protocol and ability to craft malicious TLV packets. No public exploit code available at advisory publication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.2
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/security/advisories/GHSA-w6c3-pxvr-6m6j
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download CryptoLib version 1.4.2 or later from GitHub. 2. Replace existing CryptoLib installation with patched version. 3. Recompile any dependent applications. 4. Restart affected services using CryptoLib.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allIsolate spacecraft communication networks from untrusted networks to prevent remote attackers from reaching vulnerable endpoints.
Input Validation Filter
allImplement network-level filtering to reject TLV packets with suspicious length fields before they reach CryptoLib.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit communication to trusted ground stations only.
- Deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous TLV packet patterns and block suspicious traffic.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check CryptoLib version in use. If version is earlier than 1.4.2 and system uses SDLS-EP protocol, it is vulnerable.Check Version:
Check build configuration or source code for CRYPTOLIB_VERSION macro value.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify CryptoLib version is 1.4.2 or later and test with valid TLV packets to ensure proper bounds checking.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes or abnormal termination of CryptoLib processes
- Error logs indicating buffer overflow or memory corruption in crypto_key_mgmt.c
Network Indicators:
- Unusually large TLV packets being sent to spacecraft communication endpoints
- Multiple failed communication attempts with malformed packets
SIEM Query:
source="cryptolib" AND (event_type="crash" OR error_message="buffer overflow" OR error_message="out of bounds")