How CVE-2025-29910 Works
The vulnerability resides in the `crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter` function within `crypto_tc.c` of CryptoLib (v1.3.3 and prior). This function dynamically allocates memory using `malloc()` but fails to free it under certain conditions, leading to a memory leak. Repeated calls to this function—common in long-running spacecraft communication sessions—cause gradual memory exhaustion. Since CryptoLib implements the CCSDS SDLS-EP protocol for secure space-ground links, persistent memory leaks can degrade performance or trigger a DoS by starving the system of resources. The flaw is exploitable remotely (CVSS:4.0 AV:N) without authentication (PR:N).
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: cFS/CryptoLib
Version: ≤1.3.3
Vulnerability: Memory leak
Severity: Medium
Date: 04/30/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation Analysis:
- Trigger: Send continuous SDLS-EP protocol packets forcing `crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter` calls.
- Impact: Memory consumption grows until OOM killer activates.
Detection Commands:
Check CryptoLib version: strings /path/to/cryptolib.so | grep "CryptoLib_v" Monitor memory leaks (Linux): valgrind --leak-check=full ./cFS_application
Proof-of-Concept Snippet:
while(1) {
simulate_sdls_ep_packet(); // Forces counter handling
}
Mitigation Steps:
1. Patch: Await vendor update.
2. Workaround: Restart cFS periodically.
3. Monitoring: Use `top`/`htop` to track memory spikes.
Code Fix Example:
void crypto_handle_incrementing_nontransmitted_counter() {
void buf = malloc(SIZE);
if (!buf) return;
// ... logic ...
free(buf); // Critical fix
}
Log Analysis:
grep -i "malloc failed" /var/log/cFS.log
Network Protection:
Rate-limit ground station comms (iptables example): iptables -A INPUT -p udp --dport <SDLS_PORT> -m limit --limit 100/s -j ACCEPT
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
