CryptoLib's crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter Function has Memory Leak
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · Low
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-401.
Summary
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDLS-EP) to secure communications between a spacecraft running the core Flight System (cFS) and a ground station. A memory leak vulnerability was identified in the `crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter` function of CryptoLib versions 1.3.3 and prior. This vulnerability can lead to resource exhaustion and degraded system performance over time, particularly in long-running processes or systems processing large volumes of data. The vulnerability is present in the `crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter` function within `crypto_tc.c`. The function allocates memory using `malloc` without ensuring the allocated memory is always freed. This issue can lead to resource exhaustion, reduced system performance, and potentially a Denial of Service (DoS) in environments where CryptoLib is used in long-running processes or with large volumes of data. Any system using CryptoLib, especially those handling high-throughput or continuous data streams, could be impacted. As of time of publication, no known patched versions are available.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- Poc
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-29910
References
More nasa Cryptolib vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-21552 CryptoLib Has Heap Overflow in Crypto_TM_ProcessSecurity due to Unchecked Secondary Header Length CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.4
- TI-2025-21662 Heap Buffer Overflow via Incomplete Length Check in `Crypto_TC_ApplySecurity` CVSS 4.0CRITICAL 9.3
- TI-2025-21298 CryptoLib's Crypto_TC_Prep_AAD Has Buffer Overflow Due to Integer Underflow CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.9
- TI-2025-21297 CryptoLib Has Heap Buffer Overflow Due to Unsigned Integer Underflow in Crypto_TC_ProcessSecurity CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.9
- TI-2025-21296 CryptoLib Has Heap Buffer Overflow in Crypto_AOS_ProcessSecurity Function CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.9
- TI-2025-21294 CryptoLib's Crypto_TC_ApplySecurity() Has a Heap Buffer Overflow Vulnerability CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.9
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences