CVE-2021-35269
HighCVSS 7.8Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Low risk38th percentile - higher than 38% of all known CVEs
Summary
In NTFS-3G versions prior to 2021.8.22, a heap buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the ntfs_attr_setup_flag function when processing a specially crafted NTFS attribute from the MFT. This can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation.
Risk Assessment
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely or locally to gain elevated privileges and full control over the affected system, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Recommendation
Upgrade NTFS-3G to version 2021.8.22 or later immediately. If an upgrade is not possible, restrict access to NTFS file systems to trusted sources only.
Other vulnerabilities in NTFS-3G
See all- CVE-2026-46570High
In NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7, a heap buffer overflow exists in ntfs_index_walk_down() in libntfs-3g/index.c that allows an attacker to corrupt heap memory in the SUID-root ntfs-3g binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by reading specially crafted file metadata.
- CVE-2026-46572High
In NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7, a heap buffer overflow exists in ntfs_ib_cut_tail() in libntfs-3g/index.c that allows an attacker to corrupt heap memory in the SUID-root ntfs-3g binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by creating a file in a specially crafted directory.
- CVE-2026-46571Medium
In NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7, an out-of-bounds read exists in ntfs_fix_file_name() in libntfs-3g/reparse.c that allows an attacker to read possibly confidential information from ntfs-3g process memory by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The out-of-bounds read is triggered by a readlink on a corrupted file.
- CVE-2026-46569High
In NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7, a heap buffer overflow exists in ntfs_ib_copy_tail(), in libntfs-3g/index.c, that allows an attacker to corrupt heap memory in the SUID-root ntfs-3g binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by extending a directory, e.g., by creating a file.
- CVE-2026-42618High
NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7 contains a heap buffer overflow in ntfs_decompress() in compress.c that allows an attacker to corrupt one byte of heap memory in the SUID-root ntfs-3g binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by reading the specially crafted file.
- CVE-2026-42617High
In NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7, a heap buffer overflow exists in ntfs_ir_to_ib() in index.c that allows an attacker to corrupt heap memory in the SUID-root ntfs-3g binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by extending a directory, e.g., by creating a file.
- CVE-2026-42616High
In NTFS-3G before 2026.7.7, a heap buffer overflow exists in cat() in ntfscat.c that allows an attacker to corrupt heap memory in the ntfscat binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by reading a file.
- CVE-2026-56136Medium
In NTFS-3G through version 2026.2.25, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the ntfs_ir_nill() function in libntfs-3g/index.c. An attacker can exploit this by crafting a malicious NTFS image containing a file with a specially crafted name, leading to the disclosure of potentially confidential information from the ntfs-3g process memory.
- CVE-2026-56135High
NTFS-3G through 2026.2.25 has a heap-based buffer overflow in build_inherited_id() in libntfs-3g/security.c, allowing an attacker to corrupt heap memory in the SUID-root ntfs-3g binary by crafting a malicious NTFS image. The overflow is triggered by creating a file in a crafted directory.
- CVE-2021-35267High
In NTFS-3G versions prior to 2021.8.22, a stack buffer overflow occurs when correcting differences between the MFT and MFTMirror. This can lead to code execution or privilege escalation when running with setuid-root.
Original NVD description (English source)
NTFS-3G versions < 2021.8.22, when a specially crafted NTFS attribute from the MFT is setup in the function ntfs_attr_setup_flag, a heap buffer overflow can occur allowing for code execution and escalation of privileges.
Vulnerability data from NVD (NIST) · CISA KEV · EPSS

