Summary
An incorrect access control issue in the NASA cFS Executive Services dynamic application start path may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
The risk arises when an attacker can place a malicious shared object on storage that the component uses when starting a dynamic application.
Affected context
The vulnerability occurs in NASA cFS v7.0.1 deployments using the Executive Services dynamic application start path. It may be present where shared objects on target storage can be introduced or modified without sufficient authorization, and where the application-start mechanism does not adequately restrict which objects may be loaded.
Exploit preconditions
- Attack surface: Executive Services dynamic application start functionality
- Required access: Ability to place or modify a shared object on target storage
- Trigger point: Dynamic application startup or loading of the stored shared object
- Why exploitation is possible: Access controls may not sufficiently verify the origin, authorization, or integrity of the object before it is loaded for execution
Why this happens
The underlying flaw is an authorization failure in a component that loads executable shared objects from storage. The start path does not adequately enforce access restrictions or trust boundaries around the objects it can load, allowing an unauthorized party with storage access to influence executable behavior.
This maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which covers failures to restrict resource access according to intended authorization rules.
Potential impact
- An attacker may execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected cFS process
- Mission or platform control functions could be disrupted or altered
- Confidential telemetry or operational data could be exposed
- The affected system may be used as a foothold for further compromise
- Safety, availability, or integrity of dependent services could be reduced
General mitigation guidance
Mitigation generally focuses on enforcing authorization and integrity checks before dynamic applications or shared objects are loaded.
Common defensive patterns include:
- Restricting write access to application and shared-object storage
- Allowing dynamic loading only from trusted, controlled locations
- Applying explicit allowlists for approved applications and object identities
- Verifying object integrity and provenance before execution
- Running Executive Services and dynamically loaded applications with the least privileges required
- Separating operational storage permissions from application execution permissions
- Disabling dynamic loading where it is not required
How teams detect issues like this
Organizations can identify related risks through:
- Static analysis and code review of dynamic loading and application-start paths
- Auditing authorization checks before shared-object loading
- Reviewing filesystem permissions for executable and application storage
- Monitoring unexpected changes to shared objects and application directories
- Enforcing policies that require signed or allowlisted executable components
- Alerting on dynamic application starts that originate from unapproved locations
Automated review tools may help identify unrestricted file loading, missing authorization checks, and unsafe trust-boundary transitions.
