CVE-2025-25371 in cFS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2025
NASA cFS (Core Flight System) Aquila is vulnerable to path traversal in the OSAL module, allowing the override of any arbitrary file on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25371 affects NASA's Core Flight System cFS Aquila, specifically within the OSAL (Operating System Abstraction Layer) module. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of spacecraft and ground systems relying on this flight software framework. The OSAL module serves as a crucial abstraction layer that provides standardized interfaces between application code and underlying operating systems, making it a fundamental component in mission-critical environments where system reliability and security are paramount. The path traversal vulnerability within this module creates a serious risk to operational systems that depend on cFS Aquila for their core functionalities.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient input validation mechanism within the OSAL module that fails to properly sanitize file path inputs. When the system processes file operations, it does not adequately verify or restrict the paths being accessed, allowing attackers to manipulate file system operations through specially crafted input sequences. This vulnerability enables an attacker to traverse the file system hierarchy and access or modify files outside the intended scope of the application. The flaw operates at the file system level where relative path references can be manipulated to reach directories beyond the application's designated boundaries, potentially allowing access to critical system files, configuration data, or even executable components that could compromise the entire system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file access, as it provides a pathway for arbitrary file override capabilities that can lead to complete system compromise. In aerospace environments where cFS Aquila operates, this vulnerability could enable an attacker to modify critical flight software components, alter system configurations, or inject malicious code into operational systems. The implications are particularly severe given that aerospace systems often operate in isolated or remote environments where physical access is limited, making remote exploitation particularly dangerous. The vulnerability could potentially be exploited to disrupt mission operations, compromise data integrity, or create backdoor access points that persist across system reboots or updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization within the OSAL module to prevent path traversal attacks. System administrators should ensure that all file operations within the OSAL module validate and normalize file paths before processing, implementing strict access controls that limit file system operations to predefined directories and components. The implementation should follow security best practices such as those outlined in the CWE-23 (Relative Path Traversal) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) categories, which emphasize the importance of validating inputs and restricting file system access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls, regular security assessments, and monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework's T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques may be relevant in understanding how such vulnerabilities could be exploited in broader attack scenarios, particularly in environments where additional attack surface exists.