NASA CryptoLib up to 1.3.3 crypto_tc.c crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as problematic has been discovered in NASA CryptoLib up to 1.3.3. Impacted is the function crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter of the file crypto_tc.c. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory leak. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-29910. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in NASA CryptoLib up to 1.3.3. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter of the file crypto_tc.c. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The advisory is available at github.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2025-29910 since 03/12/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. This vulnerability is assigned to T1499 by the MITRE ATT&CK project.

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

Vendor

• NASA

Name

• CryptoLib

Version

• 1.3.0
• 1.3.1
• 1.3.2
• 1.3.3

Website

• Product: https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/

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If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

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