CVE-2025-29910 in CryptoLib
Summary
by MITRE • 03/18/2025
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.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2025-29910 represents a critical memory management flaw within the CryptoLib implementation of the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures, which is specifically designed for securing communications between spacecraft running the core Flight System and ground stations. This security protocol implementation is fundamental to space mission operations where reliable and secure data transmission is paramount. The vulnerability resides in the `crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter` function located in the `crypto_tc.c` source file, making it particularly concerning given the critical nature of space communications systems where reliability and security are non-negotiable requirements.
The technical flaw manifests as a classic memory leak condition where the `malloc` function is called to allocate memory for processing non-transmitted counters within the cryptographic handling process, but there is no corresponding `free` operation to release this memory back to the system. This memory allocation pattern violates fundamental software engineering principles and creates a persistent resource drain within the system. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because it occurs during routine operations of incrementing counters, which are expected to be lightweight and frequent operations within the cryptographic processing pipeline. According to CWE-401, this represents a direct memory leak vulnerability where allocated memory resources are not properly deallocated, creating a gradual degradation of system performance over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple performance degradation, potentially leading to complete system failure through resource exhaustion and denial of service conditions. In space mission environments where systems operate continuously for months or years without interruption, this memory leak can accumulate to consume all available system memory, resulting in catastrophic system failures that could compromise entire missions. The vulnerability's effect is amplified in high-throughput environments where large volumes of data are processed continuously, as the memory leak compounds with each processed data packet. Systems utilizing CryptoLib in long-running processes are particularly susceptible, as the accumulation of leaked memory can eventually exhaust all available resources, leading to system crashes or unresponsive states that could result in mission-critical data loss or communication failures.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques related to resource exhaustion and system manipulation, particularly those targeting availability and system stability. The lack of patched versions at the time of publication creates a particularly dangerous scenario where affected systems cannot be remediated through standard update procedures, forcing operators to implement workarounds or accept degraded system performance. The vulnerability's presence in the core cryptographic processing functions means that it affects the fundamental security capabilities of the system, potentially leaving communications exposed to various attack vectors. Organizations implementing this software should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect memory consumption patterns that could indicate the presence of this vulnerability, as well as developing contingency plans for system recovery in case of resource exhaustion events. The absence of a patched version at publication time represents a significant gap in the security posture of affected systems and underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches for critical infrastructure components used in space operations.