CVE-2025-54878: Nasa Cryptolib buffer overflow (CVSS 8.6)

Description

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 heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in NASA CryptoLib version 1.4.0 and prior in the IV setup logic for telecommand frames. The problem arises from missing bounds checks when copying the Initialization Vector (IV) into a freshly allocated buffer. An attacker can supply a crafted TC frame that causes the library to write one byte past the end of the heap buffer, leading to heap corruption and undefined behaviour. An attacker supplying a malformed telecommand frame can corrupt heap memory. This leads to undefined behaviour, which could manifest itself as a crash (denial of service) or more severe exploitation. This issue has been patched in version 1.4.0.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionNone

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityLow

IntegrityLow

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H

Affected products

Nasa Cryptolib< 1.4.1

Remediation

Fixed in

Nasa Cryptolib≥ 1.4.1

Patch & vendor advisories

https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/commit/9b5b294ec09da450d2d4d05aea2db604ead48be1

References

https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/commit/9b5b294ec09da450d2d4d05aea2db604ead48be1Patch
https://github.com/nasa/CryptoLib/security/advisories/GHSA-9qph-pxfm-q9g4ExploitThird Party Advisory

Related CVEs

Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2025-54878 being actively exploited?

CVE-2025-54878 is not in the CISA KEV catalog. A public exploit reference exists, so treat it as exploitable. Its EPSS exploit probability is 0.39%.

How severe is CVE-2025-54878?

CVE-2025-54878 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6, rated high. EPSS estimates a 0.39% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2025-54878?

Affected products include Nasa Cryptolib.

How do I fix CVE-2025-54878?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Nasa Cryptolib 1.4.1 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-54878 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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