NASA CryptoLib up to 1.4.2 Link Security Protocol cryptography_encrypt out-of-bounds
| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in NASA CryptoLib up to 1.4.2. It has been classified as critical. The affected element is the function cryptography_encrypt of the component Link Security Protocol. Performing a manipulation results in out-of-bounds.
This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2026-21900. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.
Upgrading the affected component is recommended.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in NASA CryptoLib up to 1.4.2. This affects the function cryptography_encrypt of the component Link Security Protocol. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:
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, an out-of-bounds heap read vulnerability in cryptography_encrypt() occurs when parsing JSON metadata from KMC server responses. The flawed strtok iteration pattern uses ptr + strlen(ptr) + 1 which reads one byte past allocated buffer boundaries when processing short or malformed metadata strings. This issue has been patched in version 1.4.3.
The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2026-21900 since 01/05/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.
Upgrading to version 1.4.3 eliminates this vulnerability. The upgrade is hosted for download at github.com. Applying the patch 2372efd3da1ccb226b4297222e25f41ecc84821d is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2026-1894). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Product
Vendor
Name
Version
License
Website
- Product: https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.6VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.5
VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.9
NVD Vector: 🔒
CVSSv2
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| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Out-of-boundsCWE: CWE-125 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
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Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: CryptoLib 1.4.3
Patch: 2372efd3da1ccb226b4297222e25f41ecc84821d
Timeline
01/05/2026 CVE reserved01/10/2026 Advisory disclosed
01/10/2026 VulDB entry created
01/17/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Product: github.comAdvisory: GHSA-4g6v-36fv-qcvw
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-21900 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-21900
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-340401
EUVD: 🔒
Entry
Created: 01/10/2026 10:31Updated: 01/17/2026 05:46
Changes: 01/10/2026 10:31 (72), 01/11/2026 02:54 (1), 01/17/2026 05:46 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
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