How severe is CVE-2017-8921?

CVE-2017-8921 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.

Is CVE-2017-8921 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2017-8921?

CVE-2017-8921 affects Flightgear. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2017-8921?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2017-8921 published?

CVE-2017-8921 was published on 2017-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2017-8921

CVE-2017-8921 is a high-severity vulnerability in Flightgear with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.5)
CVSS v2: 5.0
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (70th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Flightgear
Published: 2017-05-12
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In FlightGear before 2017.2.1, the FGCommand interface allows overwriting any file the user has write access to, but not with arbitrary data: only with the contents of a FlightGear flightplan (XML). A resource such as a malicious third-party aircraft could exploit this to damage files belonging to the user. Both this issue and CVE-2016-9956 are directory traversal vulnerabilities in Autopilot/route_mgr.cxx - this one exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2016-9956.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2017-8921?: In FlightGear before 2017.2.1, the FGCommand interface allows overwriting any file the user has write access to, but not with arbitrary data: only with the contents of a FlightGear flightplan (XML). A resource such as a malicious third-party aircraft could exploit this to damage files belonging to the user. Both this issue and CVE-2016-9956 are directory traversal vulnerabilities in Autopilot/route_mgr.cxx - this one exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2016-9956.
How severe is CVE-2017-8921?: CVE-2017-8921 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity high, and availability none.
Is CVE-2017-8921 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (70th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2017-8921?: CVE-2017-8921 affects Flightgear. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2017-8921?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2017-8921 published?: CVE-2017-8921 was published on 2017-05-12 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

https://sourceforge.net/p/flightgear/flightgear/ci/faf872e7f71ca14c567ac7080561fc785d8d2fd0/

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:flightgear:flightgear:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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