Cryptolib
CVE-2026-21898
HIGH
Attack ChainAIDerived
Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata – not a confirmed exploit chain
-
AccessSend malformed AOS frame to spacecraft
-
ExploitParser reads unbounded memory in hash field
-
ImpactInformation 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A06:2021 - Vulnerable and Outdated Components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. |
Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.
Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – 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)
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.
Know when Cryptolib gets its next vulnerability
- Watch products and get an email when something new is published
- Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
No credit card · 7-day full trial
Severity by source
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
Lifecycle Timeline
2DescriptionGitHub 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
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.
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
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.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
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
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL
CryptoLib provides a software-only solution using the CCSDS Space Data Link Security Protocol - Extended Procedures (SDL
Command injection in NASA CryptoLib before 1.4.2 lets an attacker who controls the CAM 'username' or 'keytab_file_path'
CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 contain a heap buffer overflow in the KMC crypto service's Base64 decoder, where overs
CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 are vulnerable to denial of service through unbounded memory allocation in the KMC cry
CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 contain an out-of-bounds heap read in the cryptography_aead_encrypt() function, affect
NASA CryptoLib v1.3.0 was discovered to contain an Out-of-Bounds read via the AOS subsystem (crypto_aos.c). Rated high s
Heap buffer overflow in CryptoLib versions prior to 1.4.3 allows a high-privileged local attacker to corrupt adjacent me
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
Exploit-DB