CVE-2026-72354
ntfs: avoid stale runlist element dereference in MFT writeback
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: avoid stale runlist element dereference in MFT writeback ntfs_write_mft_block() maps each $MFT record through the $MFT data runlist. For sub-folio clusters it looks up a struct runlist_element under ni->runlist.lock, drops the lock, and later uses rl->length and rl->vcn when choosing folio_sz. That pointer is only borrowed from ni->runlist.rl. Concurrent $MFT allocation extension can merge a replacement runlist under the same lock, and ntfs_rl_realloc() can free the old backing array. If that happens between the lookup and the later folio_sz decision, writeback can dereference freed runlist storage. The buggy scenario involves two paths, with each column showing the order within that path: MFT writeback path: $MFT allocation extension: 1. Look up rl under 1. Extend the $MFT data allocation. ni->runlist.lock. 2. Publish a replacement runlist. 2. Drop ni->runlist.lock. 3. Free the old runlist array. 3. Read rl->length and rl->vcn to choose folio_sz. Compute the remaining run length while ni->runlist.lock is still held, and use that scalar after unlock. This preserves the existing folio sizing decision without carrying a borrowed runlist_element across the lock boundary. Validation reproduced this kernel report: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x66/0xa0 print_report+0xce/0x630 ? ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __virt_addr_valid+0x20d/0x410 ? ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 kasan_report+0xe0/0x110 ? ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 ? __pfx_ntfs_mft_writepages+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx___mutex_unlock_slowpath+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? iput+0x92/0xa80 do_writepages+0x219/0x530 ? __pfx_do_writepages+0x10/0x10 __writeback_single_inode+0x117/0xf50 ? do_raw_spin_lock+0x130/0x270 ? __pfx_do_raw_spin_lock+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx___writeback_single_inode+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 writeback_sb_inodes+0x65b/0x1810 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? lock_acquire+0x2b8/0x2f0 ? __pfx_writeback_sb_inodes+0x10/0x10 ? lock_release+0x1e0/0x280 ? _raw_spin_unlock+0x23/0x40 ? move_expired_inodes+0x2b8/0x850 __writeback_inodes_wb+0xf4/0x270 ? __pfx___writeback_inodes_wb+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? queue_io+0x2e4/0x410 wb_writeback+0x666/0x880 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __pfx_wb_writeback+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? get_nr_dirty_inodes+0x1c/0x170 wb_workfn+0x75e/0xbb0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? _raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore+0x27/0x60 ? __pfx_wb_workfn+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx_debug_object_deactivate+0x10/0x10 ? lock_acquire+0x2b8/0x2f0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? lock_release+0x1e0/0x280 process_one_work+0x8d0/0x1870 ? __pfx_process_one_work+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 worker_thread+0x575/0xf80 ? __pfx_worker_thread+0x10/0x10 kthread+0x2e7/0x3c0 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x576/0x810 ? __pfx_ret_from_fork+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __switch_to+0x57e/0xe10 ? __switch_to_asm+0x33/0x70 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 </TASK> Allocated by task 970: kasan_save_stack+0x33/0x60 kasan_save_track+0x14/0x30 __kasan_kmalloc+0xaa/0xb0 __kvmalloc_node_noprof+0x353/0x920 ntfs_rl_realloc+0x3c/0x80 ntfs_runlists_merge+0x1212/0x3010 ntfs_mft_data_extend_allocation_nolock+0x3e0/0x1f40 ntfs_mft_record_alloc+0x1ab4/0x4f10 __ntfs_create+0x680/0x2e50 ntfs_create+0x1e6/0x3a0 path_openat+0x2b55/0x3c10 do_file_open+0x1f4/0x460 do_sys_openat2+0xde/0x170 __x64_sys_openat+0x122/0x1e0 do_syscall_64+0x115/0x6a0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f Freed by task 1294: kasan_save_ ---truncated---
INFO
Published Date :
Aug. 15, 2026, 6:22 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 | HIGH | 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67 |
Solution
- Compute run length while lock is held.
- Use computed scalar after lock release.
- Apply the provided kernel patch.
- Update the Linux kernel.
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-2026-72354.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81fe702ff1760da32bcd3ef4494b2a33dbeced72 | |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a2e36963a3fc52401586657d34e3f1c5a01ea56 |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-72354 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-2026-72354
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-2026-72354 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-72354 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:L/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': '115380f9a2f9675c7924563cbba70d40cae8fb81', 'lessThan': '9a2e36963a3fc52401586657d34e3f1c5a01ea56', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '115380f9a2f9675c7924563cbba70d40cae8fb81', 'lessThan': '81fe702ff1760da32bcd3ef4494b2a33dbeced72', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs/mft.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '7.1', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1.5', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.1.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.2-rc3', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs/mft.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] [{'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '115380f9a2f9675c7924563cbba70d40cae8fb81', 'lessThan': '9a2e36963a3fc52401586657d34e3f1c5a01ea56', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '115380f9a2f9675c7924563cbba70d40cae8fb81', 'lessThan': '81fe702ff1760da32bcd3ef4494b2a33dbeced72', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs/mft.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '7.1', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1.5', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.1.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.2', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs/mft.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': '115380f9a2f9675c7924563cbba70d40cae8fb81', 'lessThan': '9a2e36963a3fc52401586657d34e3f1c5a01ea56', 'versionType': 'git'}, {'status': 'affected', 'version': '115380f9a2f9675c7924563cbba70d40cae8fb81', 'lessThan': '81fe702ff1760da32bcd3ef4494b2a33dbeced72', 'versionType': 'git'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs/mft.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'unaffected'}, {'repo': 'https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git', 'vendor': 'Linux', 'product': 'Linux', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '7.1'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '0', 'lessThan': '7.1', 'versionType': 'semver'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.1.5', 'versionType': 'semver', 'lessThanOrEqual': '7.1.*'}, {'status': 'unaffected', 'version': '7.2-rc3', 'versionType': 'original_commit_for_fix', 'lessThanOrEqual': '*'}], 'programFiles': ['fs/ntfs/mft.c'], 'defaultStatus': 'affected'}] Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: avoid stale runlist element dereference in MFT writeback ntfs_write_mft_block() maps each $MFT record through the $MFT data runlist. For sub-folio clusters it looks up a struct runlist_element under ni->runlist.lock, drops the lock, and later uses rl->length and rl->vcn when choosing folio_sz. That pointer is only borrowed from ni->runlist.rl. Concurrent $MFT allocation extension can merge a replacement runlist under the same lock, and ntfs_rl_realloc() can free the old backing array. If that happens between the lookup and the later folio_sz decision, writeback can dereference freed runlist storage. The buggy scenario involves two paths, with each column showing the order within that path: MFT writeback path: $MFT allocation extension: 1. Look up rl under 1. Extend the $MFT data allocation. ni->runlist.lock. 2. Publish a replacement runlist. 2. Drop ni->runlist.lock. 3. Free the old runlist array. 3. Read rl->length and rl->vcn to choose folio_sz. Compute the remaining run length while ni->runlist.lock is still held, and use that scalar after unlock. This preserves the existing folio sizing decision without carrying a borrowed runlist_element across the lock boundary. Validation reproduced this kernel report: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x66/0xa0 print_report+0xce/0x630 ? ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __virt_addr_valid+0x20d/0x410 ? ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 kasan_report+0xe0/0x110 ? ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 ntfs_mft_writepages+0x1c8d/0x1fb0 ? __pfx_ntfs_mft_writepages+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx___mutex_unlock_slowpath+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? iput+0x92/0xa80 do_writepages+0x219/0x530 ? __pfx_do_writepages+0x10/0x10 __writeback_single_inode+0x117/0xf50 ? do_raw_spin_lock+0x130/0x270 ? __pfx_do_raw_spin_lock+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx___writeback_single_inode+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 writeback_sb_inodes+0x65b/0x1810 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? lock_acquire+0x2b8/0x2f0 ? __pfx_writeback_sb_inodes+0x10/0x10 ? lock_release+0x1e0/0x280 ? _raw_spin_unlock+0x23/0x40 ? move_expired_inodes+0x2b8/0x850 __writeback_inodes_wb+0xf4/0x270 ? __pfx___writeback_inodes_wb+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? queue_io+0x2e4/0x410 wb_writeback+0x666/0x880 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __pfx_wb_writeback+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? get_nr_dirty_inodes+0x1c/0x170 wb_workfn+0x75e/0xbb0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? _raw_spin_unlock_irqrestore+0x27/0x60 ? __pfx_wb_workfn+0x10/0x10 ? __pfx_debug_object_deactivate+0x10/0x10 ? lock_acquire+0x2b8/0x2f0 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? lock_release+0x1e0/0x280 process_one_work+0x8d0/0x1870 ? __pfx_process_one_work+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 worker_thread+0x575/0xf80 ? __pfx_worker_thread+0x10/0x10 kthread+0x2e7/0x3c0 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork+0x576/0x810 ? __pfx_ret_from_fork+0x10/0x10 ? srso_alias_return_thunk+0x5/0xfbef5 ? __switch_to+0x57e/0xe10 ? __switch_to_asm+0x33/0x70 ? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10 ret_from_fork_asm+0x1a/0x30 </TASK> Allocated by task 970: kasan_save_stack+0x33/0x60 kasan_save_track+0x14/0x30 __kasan_kmalloc+0xaa/0xb0 __kvmalloc_node_noprof+0x353/0x920 ntfs_rl_realloc+0x3c/0x80 ntfs_runlists_merge+0x1212/0x3010 ntfs_mft_data_extend_allocation_nolock+0x3e0/0x1f40 ntfs_mft_record_alloc+0x1ab4/0x4f10 __ntfs_create+0x680/0x2e50 ntfs_create+0x1e6/0x3a0 path_openat+0x2b55/0x3c10 do_file_open+0x1f4/0x460 do_sys_openat2+0xde/0x170 __x64_sys_openat+0x122/0x1e0 do_syscall_64+0x115/0x6a0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f Freed by task 1294: kasan_save_ ---truncated--- Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81fe702ff1760da32bcd3ef4494b2a33dbeced72 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a2e36963a3fc52401586657d34e3f1c5a01ea56