Description
The Sleuth Kit (TSK) 4.0.1 does not properly handle "." (dotfile) file system entries in FAT file systems and other file systems for which . is not a reserved name, which allows local users to hide activities it more difficult to conduct forensics activities, as demonstrated by Flame.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | sleuthkit | 4.1.2-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | sleuthkit | 4.1.2-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | sleuthkit | 4.1.2-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | sleuthkit | 4.2.0-3ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-4765-1 |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | sleuthkit | 3.2.3-2.2ubuntu0.1~esm1 | USN-4765-1 |
Advisories 1
- USN-4765-1 sleuthkit vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Jun 29, 2026
References
- [oss-security] 20121203 Re: CVE request: TSK misrepresents "." files on FAT filesystems mailing-list
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=883330
- http://labs.bitdefender.com/2012/06/flame-the-story-of-leaked-data-carried-by-human-vector/
- FEDORA-2013-0336 vendor-advisory
- MDVSA-2013:125 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2013-0320 vendor-advisory
- [oss-security] 20121201 CVE request: TSK misrepresents "." files on FAT filesystems mailing-list