CVE-2026-22697 in CryptoLib
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2026
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. Prior to version 1.4.3, CryptoLib’s KMC crypto service integration is vulnerable to a heap buffer overflow when decoding Base64-encoded ciphertext/cleartext fields returned by the KMC service. The decode destination buffer is sized using an expected output length (len_data_out), but the Base64 decoder writes output based on the actual Base64 input length and does not enforce any destination size limit. An oversized Base64 string in the KMC JSON response can cause out-of-bounds writes on the heap, resulting in process crash and potentially code execution under certain conditions. This issue has been patched in version 1.4.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2026-22697 affects CryptoLib, a software solution implementing the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures for securing spacecraft ground station communications within the core Flight System environment. This cryptographic library serves critical space applications where secure data transmission between spacecraft and ground stations is paramount for mission success and operational integrity. The affected system operates in highly sensitive environments where communication security and reliability are non-negotiable requirements for space missions.
The technical flaw manifests in the KMC (Key Management Center) crypto service integration within CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3. Specifically, when processing Base64-encoded data returned by the KMC service, the implementation suffers from a heap buffer overflow condition. The system calculates the destination buffer size based on an expected output length parameter len_data_out, but the Base64 decoding process ignores this constraint and writes data based purely on the actual Base64 input length without enforcing destination buffer limits. This mismatch creates a scenario where oversized Base64 strings in the KMC JSON response can cause memory corruption beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to undefined behavior and potential exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple process crashes, presenting significant risks to space mission operations and cybersecurity posture. When an oversized Base64 string triggers the buffer overflow, the heap memory corruption can result in immediate process termination, disrupting critical spacecraft ground communication channels. More concerning is the potential for code execution under specific conditions, which could allow adversaries to compromise the spacecraft's communication infrastructure and potentially gain unauthorized access to mission-critical data. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and availability of space mission communications, as any exploitation could lead to mission failure or data compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in cryptographic processing components. From an attack perspective, this issue maps to ATT&CK technique T1547.001 for privilege escalation and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, particularly affecting space systems that rely on secure communication protocols. The fix implemented in version 1.4.3 addresses the root cause by enforcing proper bounds checking during Base64 decoding operations and ensuring that destination buffer limits are strictly enforced regardless of input characteristics. Organizations operating space systems should prioritize updating to CryptoLib 1.4.3 or later versions to mitigate this vulnerability and maintain the security integrity of their spacecraft ground communication systems.