CVE-2022-30786 in NTFS-3G
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2022
A crafted NTFS image can cause a heap-based buffer overflow in ntfs_names_full_collate in NTFS-3G through 2021.8.22.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-30786 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the NTFS-3G file system driver version 2021.8.22 and earlier. This flaw resides in the ntfs_names_full_collate function which is responsible for comparing and collating file names within NTFS file systems. The vulnerability manifests when processing specially crafted NTFS image files that contain malformed or oversized name attributes, leading to improper memory management during name comparison operations. The heap-based nature of this overflow indicates that the vulnerability occurs within dynamically allocated memory regions, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent heap metadata or control data structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the name collation routine. When NTFS-3G encounters a malformed name attribute in the crafted image, the ntfs_names_full_collate function fails to properly validate the length of name components before performing memory operations. This lack of proper bounds checking creates an opportunity for attackers to craft NTFS images containing oversized name fields that exceed the allocated buffer size. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient validation of buffer boundaries allows for memory corruption. The flaw represents a classic case of inadequate input sanitization in file system parsing components, where attacker-controlled data flows directly into memory operations without proper size verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as heap corruption can potentially enable arbitrary code execution under certain conditions. When the buffer overflow occurs, it may corrupt heap metadata structures that the memory allocator uses to manage dynamic memory, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout or inject malicious code. The vulnerability affects systems running NTFS-3G implementations, which are commonly found in Linux distributions and other Unix-like systems that require NTFS file system support. This creates a significant risk for enterprise environments where Linux servers interact with NTFS volumes, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to system resources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could leverage this flaw in initial compromise scenarios involving malicious NTFS image attachments or network shares.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-30786 should prioritize immediate patching of NTFS-3G implementations to version 2022.10.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running NTFS-3G to untrusted NTFS image sources. Additional protective measures include deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious NTFS image file transfers and implementing strict file validation policies for any NTFS images processed by systems. Organizations should also consider disabling NTFS-3G support on systems where it is not strictly required, particularly in high-security environments. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices in file system implementations and underscores the need for comprehensive input validation in all file parsing operations, as recommended by industry standards such as the CERT/CC Secure Coding Standards and NIST SP 800-115 guidelines for vulnerability management and mitigation strategies.