CVE-2007-2799: Integer overflow in the "file" program 4.20, when running on 32-bit systems, as used in products including The

Routine

MEDIUM 5.1DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2007-2799 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.1) affecting file, the sleuth kith. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Integer overflow in the "file" program 4.20, when running on 32-bit systems, as used in products including The Sleuth Kit, might allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large file that triggers an overflow that bypasses an assert() statement. NOTE: this issue is due to an incorrect patch for CVE-2007-1536.

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.1 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	2.7% (top 14%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-189
Published	2007-05-23
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): FreeBSD · Vendor: file · sleuth kit

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-05-23 21:30 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:40 UTCUpdated Record last modified

file file DOWNGRADE

Affected: 4.2

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 4.2

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy file || rpm -q file || file --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 4.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison file sudo apt install file=<VERSION_BEFORE_4.2> sudo apt-mark hold file

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list file sudo dnf downgrade file-<VERSION_BEFORE_4.2> sudo dnf versionlock add file

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

sleuth kit the sleuth kith MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy the-sleuth-kith || rpm -q the-sleuth-kith || the-sleuth-kith --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2007-2799?

file: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; the sleuth kith: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2007-2799 being exploited?

CVE-2007-2799 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2007-2799 affect?

CVE-2007-2799 affects file, the sleuth kith. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.1). Integer overflow in the "file" program 4.20, when running on 32-bit systems, as used in products including The Sleuth Kit, might allow user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large file that triggers an overflow that bypasse

How urgent is CVE-2007-2799?

Priority 39/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

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References

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