CVE-2021-39257

Name: CVE-2021-39257
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-09-07T15:15:08.11+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.37%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-39257 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. A crafted NTFS image with an unallocated bitmap can lead to a endless recursive function call chain (starting from ntfs_attr_pwrite), causing stack consumption in NTFS-3G < 2021.8.22.. EPSS estimates a 0.37% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A crafted NTFS image with an unallocated bitmap can lead to a endless recursive function call chain (starting from ntfs_attr_pwrite), causing stack consumption in NTFS-3G < 2021.8.22.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

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

EPSS Probability

0.37%

28.9th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-674

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Tuxera	Ntfs-3g	< 2021.8.22
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0
Debian	Debian Linux	11.0

References

https://github.com/tuxera/ntfs-3g/releasesRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tuxera/ntfs-3g/security/advisories/GHSA-q759-8j5v-q5jpThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/11/msg00013.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-01Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4971Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tuxera/ntfs-3g/releasesRelease Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tuxera/ntfs-3g/security/advisories/GHSA-q759-8j5v-q5jpThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/11/msg00013.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202301-01Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-4971Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 7, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-39257?

A crafted NTFS image with an unallocated bitmap can lead to a endless recursive function call chain (starting from ntfs_attr_pwrite), causing stack consumption in NTFS-3G < 2021.8.22.

How severe is CVE-2021-39257?

CVE-2021-39257 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.37% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-39257?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-39257?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST