rootpwn

high · CVSS v3 7.1

CVE-2026-97437

The Linux kernel NTFS driver contains an out‑of‑bounds read in ntfs_dir_emit() and hdr_find_e(). A crafted NTFS image can cause the kernel t

Overview

The Linux kernel NTFS driver contains an out‑of‑bounds read in ntfs_dir_emit() and hdr_find_e(). A crafted NTFS image can cause the kernel to read past an entry boundary, potentially leaking sensitive data. This flaw is relevant to any system that mounts NTFS volumes with the built‑in driver.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs3: fix out-of-bounds read in ntfs_dir_emit() and hdr_find_e() The bounds check in ntfs_dir_emit() compares fname->name_len (a character count) against e->size (a byte count) without accounting for the 2-byte-per-character UTF-16LE encoding or the ATTR_FILE_NAME header size: if (fname->name_len + sizeof(struct NTFS_DE) > le16_to_cpu(e->size)) This computes: name_len + 16 > e_size The correct check must account for the ATTR_FILE_NAME header (66 bytes before the name) and the UTF-16LE character size (2 bytes each): sizeof(NTFS_DE) + offsetof(ATTR_FILE_NAME, name) + name_len * sizeof(short) > e_size Which computes: 16 + 66 + name_len * 2 > e_size The correct calculation already exists as fname_full_size() in ntfs.h and is used in cmp_fnames(), namei.c, and fslog.c, but was not used in the readdir path. A crafted NTFS image with an index entry containing a small e->size but large fname->name_len bypasses the current check, causing ntfs_utf16_to_nls() to read past the entry boundary. Additionally, add a key_size validation in hdr_find_e() to ensure the declared key_size does not exceed the available entry data, preventing comparison functions from reading past entry boundaries on the lookup path.

Impact

The vulnerability allows an attacker to read arbitrary kernel memory, compromising confidentiality and integrity of system data. If exploited, it could enable privilege escalation to root. Defenders should consider the risk to all users of NTFS volumes on Linux.

Remediation

Apply the latest kernel update that includes the ntfs3 patch. If immediate update is not possible, disable NTFS support or use a userspace NTFS driver such as ntfs-3g. Verify that the kernel version is at least the one that contains the fix.

Risk context

Severity is high with a CVSS v3 score of 7.1. No EPSS data is available, but the flaw is exploitable on any system that mounts NTFS filesystems, making it a moderate to high urgency issue.

Affected products

  • Linux kernel
  • NTFS driver

Scores

Severity
high
CVSS v2
5.6
CVSS v3
7.1
CVSS v4
—
EPSS
—

kernel ntfs out-of-bounds read privilege-escalation high-severity patch

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