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Cryptolib CVE-2026-21898

HIGH
Out-of-bounds Read (CWE-125)
2026-01-10 security-advisories@github.com
8.2
CVSS 3.1 · GitHub Advisory
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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain

  1. Access
    Send malformed AOS frame to spacecraft
  2. Exploit
    Parser reads unbounded memory in hash field
  3. Impact
    Information disclosure and denial of service triggered

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components
ASVS 5.0
V15 - Secure Coding and Architecture Bounds checking, read limits
MITRE ATT&CK

1 technique across 1 tactic: Collection

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Exploitation Conditions

CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 with SDLS-EP protocol enabled on spacecraft cFS receiving AOS frames from ground station. No authentication required; network-accessible space-ground link interface.

Impact

CVSS 8.2 (HIGH). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: None. User interaction: None. Public exploit/POC available.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.

This Week Schedule remediation this week. Why: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9).
No patch listed yet 0.0% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026

CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 contain an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Crypto_AOS_ProcessSecurity function that allows remote attackers to crash spacecraft communications systems when parsing malformed AOS frame hashes. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability affecting cFS deployments that rely on SDLS-EP for spacecraft-to-ground station security. The vulnerability has high severity due to its denial of service impact on critical space communications infrastructure, and no patch is currently available.

Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
v1 Mar 12, 2026 - 21:54 CVSS 8.2

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. [CVSS 8.2 HIGH]

RemediationAI

Fixed in version 1.4.3.. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.

Affects your stack

Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

Classified as CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read). Affects Cryptolib. 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, the Crypto_AOS_ProcessSecurity function reads memory without valid bounds checking when parsing AOS frame hashes. This issue has been patched in version 1.4.3.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY 8.2 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

2
PoC Detected
Jan 15, 2026 - 21:48 vuln.today
Public exploit code
CVE Published
Jan 10, 2026 - 01:16 nvd
HIGH 8.2

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

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, the Crypto_AOS_ProcessSecurity function reads memory without valid bounds checking when parsing AOS frame hashes. This issue has been patched in version 1.4.3.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

CVE-2026-21898 presents notable security risk, a out-of-bounds read vulnerability rated CVSS 8.2. Successful exploitation could significantly impact the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of affected systems. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available, increasing the risk of exploitation. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and consider compensating controls in the interim.

Business Impact: High
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If immediate patching is not feasible: (1) Implement network-level access controls to limit exposure; (2) Enable enhanced monitoring and alerting; (3) Apply principle of least privilege.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.0%
Top 92% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists
Data Quality
4 sources
Confidence: Medium

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity HIGH
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.0%
Patch available No
Active threat No
Deciding rule
HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Out-of-Cycle
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
Yes
Human Impact
High

Priority Score

61
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +41
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

A buffer overflow occurs when a program writes more data to a memory buffer than it was allocated to hold, causing the excess data to spill into adjacent memory regions.

Information disclosure occurs when an application unintentionally exposes sensitive data that aids attackers in reconnaissance or directly compromises security.

Affected Products (CPE)GitHub Advisory

cpe:2.3:a:nasa:cryptolib:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
CVE-2025-30216 CRITICAL POC
9.4 Mar 25

CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL

CVE-2025-30356 CRITICAL POC
9.3 Apr 01

CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL

CVE-2025-29909 HIGH POC
8.9 Mar 17

CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL

CVE-2025-29912 HIGH POC
8.9 Mar 17

CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL

CVE-2025-29911 HIGH POC
8.9 Mar 17

CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL

CVE-2025-29913 HIGH POC
8.9 Mar 17

CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL

CVE-2025-59534 HIGH POC
7.8 Sep 23

Command injection in NASA CryptoLib before 1.4.2 lets an attacker who controls the CAM 'username' or 'keytab_file_path'

CVE-2026-22697 HIGH POC
7.5 Jan 10

CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 contain a heap buffer overflow in the KMC crypto service's Base64 decoder, where overs

CVE-2026-22026 HIGH POC
7.5 Jan 10

CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 are vulnerable to denial of service through unbounded memory allocation in the KMC cry

CVE-2026-22023 HIGH POC
7.5 Jan 10

CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 contain an out-of-bounds heap read in the cryptography_aead_encrypt() function, affect

CVE-2024-44910 HIGH POC
7.5 Sep 27

NASA CryptoLib v1.3.0 was discovered to contain an Out-of-Bounds read via the AOS subsystem (crypto_aos.c). Rated high s

CVE-2026-22027 MEDIUM POC
6.0 Jan 10

Heap buffer overflow in CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 allows a high-privileged local attacker to corrupt adjacent me

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