CVE-2026-67970 Overview
CVE-2026-67970 is a path traversal vulnerability in the DS_SetDestPathCmd() component of NASA Core Flight System (cFS) version 7.0.1. The flaw stems from incorrect access control on destination path input, allowing attackers to reach sensitive filesystem components outside the intended directory. The Data Storage (DS) application accepts destination path commands without adequate sanitization, letting adversaries traverse the filesystem using standard directory traversal sequences. NASA cFS is a flight software framework used in spacecraft and embedded aerospace systems, making the impact particularly relevant for mission-critical deployments.
Critical Impact
Attackers can access sensitive filesystem components on systems running NASA cFS v7.0.1 by supplying crafted path traversal input to the DS_SetDestPathCmd() handler.
Affected Products
- NASA Core Flight System (cFS) v7.0.1
- Deployments including the Data Storage (DS) application component
- Embedded and aerospace systems built on the cFS framework
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-08-03 - CVE-2026-67970 published to NVD
- 2026-08-03 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2026-67970
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the DS_SetDestPathCmd() function within the Data Storage (DS) application of NASA cFS v7.0.1. This function processes ground commands that reconfigure the destination file path for onboard telemetry and data storage. The function fails to validate whether the provided path escapes the intended storage directory. Attackers submitting sequences such as ../ in the path field can redirect writes or reads to arbitrary filesystem locations. This behavior is classified as a path traversal weakness [CWE-22] combined with improper access control [CWE-284].
The cFS framework runs on spacecraft, satellites, and other embedded platforms where filesystem integrity directly affects mission operations. An attacker able to send DS commands can therefore reach configuration files, logs, or other sensitive components that the DS application should never touch. See the GitHub cFS Issue Report for the original technical disclosure.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing canonicalization and boundary enforcement on the destination path argument. DS_SetDestPathCmd() accepts the operator-supplied string and applies it directly to storage operations without verifying that the resolved path remains within an approved directory. No allowlist, chroot boundary, or path normalization step rejects traversal tokens.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires the ability to send DS commands to the cFS Software Bus. An attacker with command uplink access, a compromised ground station, or a foothold on a co-resident subsystem can craft a DS_SetDestPathCmd message containing a traversal payload. Once accepted, subsequent DS file operations resolve against the attacker-controlled path, exposing files outside the intended data storage tree. No memory corruption or authentication bypass is required beyond reaching the command interface.
No verified exploit code is publicly available. The vulnerability mechanism is documented in prose in the referenced GitHub issue rather than as a released proof of concept.
Detection Methods for CVE-2026-67970
Indicators of Compromise
- DS_SetDestPathCmd telemetry entries containing ../, ..\, or absolute path prefixes outside the approved storage directory.
- Unexpected file creation, modification, or read activity in filesystem paths that the DS application should never access.
- DS event messages reporting destination path changes that do not match approved flight procedures or command scripts.
Detection Strategies
- Parse DS command telemetry and flag any DS_SetDestPathCmd invocation whose path field contains traversal characters or resolves outside the mission storage root.
- Compare active DS destination paths against a known-good baseline captured from the approved flight configuration and alert on drift.
- Correlate command uplink logs with DS reconfiguration events to identify commands originating from unauthorized ground stations or operators.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose DS event logging and forward events to a ground-side analytics pipeline for continuous review.
- Monitor filesystem write locations on the flight computer for activity outside declared DS storage volumes.
- Track the frequency and source of destination path reconfiguration commands and treat unscheduled changes as high-priority incidents.
How to Mitigate CVE-2026-67970
Immediate Actions Required
- Inventory all deployments and test environments running NASA cFS v7.0.1 that include the DS application.
- Restrict command authority for DS_SetDestPathCmd to a minimal set of authorized operators and ground systems.
- Apply command allowlisting on the ground segment to reject DS path arguments containing traversal sequences before uplink.
Patch Information
No vendor patch identifier is listed in the NVD entry at publication. Track the GitHub cFS Issue Report for upstream remediation status and pull the latest cFS release from the official NASA repository once a fix is merged. Until then, treat the DS destination path interface as untrusted and enforce mitigations at the command validation layer.
Workarounds
- Wrap or replace DS_SetDestPathCmd() locally to canonicalize the supplied path and reject any result that escapes the approved storage root.
- Configure the flight filesystem so the DS application runs against a dedicated volume or directory with no upward traversal reachable to sensitive files.
- Add ground-side command validators that statically reject .., ~, and absolute paths in any DS destination path field prior to uplink.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
