CVE-2026-72191
ntfs3: validate split-point offset in indx_insert_into_buffer
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs3: validate split-point offset in indx_insert_into_buffer indx_insert_into_buffer() computes used = used1 - to_copy - sp_size; memmove(de_t, Add2Ptr(sp, sp_size), used - le32_to_cpu(hdr1->de_off)); where sp and sp_size come from hdr_find_split(). hdr_find_split() walks entries by le16_to_cpu(e->size) without validating that each step stays within hdr->used or that the size field is at least sizeof(struct NTFS_DE). index_hdr_check(), the on-load gatekeeper, only validates header-level fields (used, total, de_off) and does not walk per-entry sizes. A crafted NTFS image whose leaf INDEX_HDR reports used == total but contains one interior NTFS_DE with size = 0xFFF0 therefore passes validation, descends to indx_insert_into_buffer() through the ntfs_create() -> indx_insert_entry() path, and makes hdr_find_split() return an sp whose sp_size (0xFFF0) greatly exceeds the remaining bytes in the buffer. The u32 subtraction underflows and the memmove count becomes a near-4-GiB value, producing an out-of-bounds kernel write that corrupts adjacent allocations and panics the kernel. Reproduced on 7.0.0-rc7 with UML + KASAN via a crafted image and a single 'touch' inside the mounted directory; crash site resolves to fs/ntfs3/index.c at the memmove. Trigger requires only local mount of an attacker-supplied filesystem image (USB, loopback, or removable media auto-mount). Reject the split whenever the chosen sp plus its declared size already extends past hdr1->used. This is the minimal fix; it preserves the existing hdr_find_split() contract and relies on the same out: cleanup path as the pre-existing error returns. A prior OOB read in the very same indx_insert_into_buffer() memmove was fixed in commit b8c44949044e ("fs/ntfs3: Fix OOB read in indx_insert_into_buffer") by tightening hdr_find_e(), but that fix does not cover the split-point size field path addressed here: sp is returned by hdr_find_split(), not hdr_find_e(), and the underflow is driven by sp->size rather than hdr->used exceeding hdr->total.
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 15, 2026, 6:21 a.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 17, 2026, 6:18 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | CRITICAL | 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 |
Solution
- Reject split-point if it exceeds buffer bounds.
- Validate per-entry sizes within the index header.
- Update the Linux kernel to include the fix.
- Apply the patch for fs/ntfs3/index.c.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-72191.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-72191 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-72191
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-72191 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-72191 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
CVE Modified by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Aug. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V3.1 AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Changed Affected [{'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'b232eb5c9fe11ec2368e9b565db69c724c35fbd2', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': '7bf74e6baf810fe325f111996496c678fc6e244f', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'f3624cc069195001c88df7a291af215f2133ff2c', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': '1758a564b6ebe7f4a82f23c9851d1cae15549457', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'f1df9d771df47aa40de6d70949c28720ae1e430d', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs3/index.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '5.15'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '5.15', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.6.145', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.6.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.12.97', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.12.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.18.40', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.18.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1.5', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.1.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.2-rc1', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs3/index.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] [{'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'b232eb5c9fe11ec2368e9b565db69c724c35fbd2', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': '7bf74e6baf810fe325f111996496c678fc6e244f', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'f3624cc069195001c88df7a291af215f2133ff2c', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': '1758a564b6ebe7f4a82f23c9851d1cae15549457', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'f1df9d771df47aa40de6d70949c28720ae1e430d', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs3/index.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '5.15'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '5.15', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.6.145', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.6.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.12.97', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.12.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.18.40', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.18.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1.5', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.1.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.2', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs3/index.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] -
New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Aug. 15, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'b232eb5c9fe11ec2368e9b565db69c724c35fbd2', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': '7bf74e6baf810fe325f111996496c678fc6e244f', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'f3624cc069195001c88df7a291af215f2133ff2c', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': '1758a564b6ebe7f4a82f23c9851d1cae15549457', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '82cae269cfa953032fbb8980a7d554d60fb00b17', 'lessThan': 'f1df9d771df47aa40de6d70949c28720ae1e430d', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs3/index.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '5.15'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '5.15', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.6.145', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.6.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.12.97', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.12.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '6.18.40', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '6.18.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1.5', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.1.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.2-rc1', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs3/index.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs3: validate split-point offset in indx_insert_into_buffer indx_insert_into_buffer() computes used = used1 - to_copy - sp_size; memmove(de_t, Add2Ptr(sp, sp_size), used - le32_to_cpu(hdr1->de_off)); where sp and sp_size come from hdr_find_split(). hdr_find_split() walks entries by le16_to_cpu(e->size) without validating that each step stays within hdr->used or that the size field is at least sizeof(struct NTFS_DE). index_hdr_check(), the on-load gatekeeper, only validates header-level fields (used, total, de_off) and does not walk per-entry sizes. A crafted NTFS image whose leaf INDEX_HDR reports used == total but contains one interior NTFS_DE with size = 0xFFF0 therefore passes validation, descends to indx_insert_into_buffer() through the ntfs_create() -> indx_insert_entry() path, and makes hdr_find_split() return an sp whose sp_size (0xFFF0) greatly exceeds the remaining bytes in the buffer. The u32 subtraction underflows and the memmove count becomes a near-4-GiB value, producing an out-of-bounds kernel write that corrupts adjacent allocations and panics the kernel. Reproduced on 7.0.0-rc7 with UML + KASAN via a crafted image and a single 'touch' inside the mounted directory; crash site resolves to fs/ntfs3/index.c at the memmove. Trigger requires only local mount of an attacker-supplied filesystem image (USB, loopback, or removable media auto-mount). Reject the split whenever the chosen sp plus its declared size already extends past hdr1->used. This is the minimal fix; it preserves the existing hdr_find_split() contract and relies on the same out: cleanup path as the pre-existing error returns. A prior OOB read in the very same indx_insert_into_buffer() memmove was fixed in commit b8c44949044e ("fs/ntfs3: Fix OOB read in indx_insert_into_buffer") by tightening hdr_find_e(), but that fix does not cover the split-point size field path addressed here: sp is returned by hdr_find_split(), not hdr_find_e(), and the underflow is driven by sp->size rather than hdr->used exceeding hdr->total. Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1758a564b6ebe7f4a82f23c9851d1cae15549457 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7bf74e6baf810fe325f111996496c678fc6e244f Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b232eb5c9fe11ec2368e9b565db69c724c35fbd2 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f1df9d771df47aa40de6d70949c28720ae1e430d Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f3624cc069195001c88df7a291af215f2133ff2c