CVE-2025-25373 in cFS
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2025
The Memory Management Module of NASA cFS (Core Flight System) Aquila has insecure permissions, which can be exploited to gain an RCE on the platform.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-25373 affects the Memory Management Module within NASA's Core Flight System cFS Aquila platform, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of space mission operations. This issue stems from insecure file permissions within the memory management subsystem, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that could ultimately lead to remote code execution. The cFS Aquila system serves as a foundational software architecture for spacecraft flight control and mission management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its potential impact on mission-critical operations. The insecure permissions likely involve improper access controls on memory allocation files, temporary storage areas, or system configuration components that are essential for proper memory management operations. Such weaknesses in the memory management module could enable adversaries to manipulate how memory is allocated, deallocated, or accessed within the spacecraft's operating environment, potentially compromising the entire mission system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with common software security flaws categorized under CWE-732, which addresses inadequate permissions for critical resources. Attackers could potentially leverage these insecure permissions to modify memory management parameters, inject malicious code into memory segments, or manipulate system memory allocation patterns to achieve privilege escalation. The attack vector likely involves gaining access to system files or directories that control memory management operations, then exploiting the weak permissions to modify or replace critical system components. This could enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the memory management context, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation chain would typically involve initial reconnaissance to identify the insecure permission settings, followed by privilege escalation techniques that leverage the weak access controls to gain elevated system privileges necessary for remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-25373 extends far beyond typical cybersecurity concerns, given the critical nature of space missions and the potential for catastrophic consequences from system compromise. A successful exploitation could result in mission failure, data loss, or even endanger human lives in crewed missions where spacecraft systems are under direct control. The vulnerability affects not just individual spacecraft but potentially entire mission constellations that rely on the cFS Aquila platform for their operational integrity. Memory management failures could cause system crashes, data corruption, or unauthorized access to sensitive mission parameters, potentially compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical space operations. The impact is particularly severe because spacecraft systems operate in isolated environments where traditional recovery mechanisms may not be available, and the complexity of space missions means that a single system failure could cascade across multiple subsystems and mission objectives.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in the future. The primary immediate action involves implementing proper file and directory permissions across all memory management components within the cFS Aquila system, ensuring that only authorized processes can access or modify critical memory management resources. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques and emphasizes the importance of principle of least privilege implementation. Organizations should also implement regular security audits of system permissions and access controls, utilizing automated tools to detect and remediate insecure configurations. The mitigation approach should include comprehensive testing of permission changes to ensure they do not disrupt legitimate system operations while providing adequate protection against exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control policies can limit the potential attack surface, while regular security updates and patches should be applied to address any related vulnerabilities in the broader cFS ecosystem. The solution must balance security requirements with operational needs to maintain the reliability and functionality of space mission systems while providing robust protection against exploitation attempts.