LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2025-71265: fs: ntfs3: fix infinite loop in attr_load_runs_range on inconsistent metadata

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs: ntfs3: fix infinite loop in attr_load_runs_range on inconsistent metadata We found an infinite loop bug in the ntfs3 file system that can lead to a Denial-of-Service (DoS) condition. A malformed NTFS image can cause an infinite loop when an attribute header indicates an empty run list, while directory entries reference it as containing actual data. In NTFS, setting evcn=-1 with svcn=0 is a valid way to represent an empty run list, and run_unpack() correctly handles this by checking if evcn + 1 equals svcn and returning early without parsing any run data. However, this creates a problem when there is metadata inconsistency, where the attribute header claims to be empty (evcn=-1) but the caller expects to read actual data. When run_unpack() immediately returns success upon seeing this condition, it leaves the runs_tree uninitialized with run->runs as a NULL. The calling function attr_load_runs_range() assumes that a successful return means that the runs were loaded and sets clen to 0, expecting the next run_lookup_entry() call to succeed. Because runs_tree remains uninitialized, run_lookup_entry() continues to fail, and the loop increments vcn by zero (vcn += 0), leading to an infinite loop. This patch adds a retry counter to detect when run_lookup_entry() fails consecutively after attr_load_runs_vcn(). If the run is still not found on the second attempt, it indicates corrupted metadata and returns -EINVAL, preventing the Denial-of-Service (DoS) vulnerability.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-71265 is a Linux kernel denial-of-service issue in the ntfs3 filesystem driver. A malformed NTFS image can trigger an infinite loop, potentially hanging affected processing when the image is mounted or read. There is no evidence in the bundle of active exploitation or data compromise.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk, not a confirmed breach issue. Prioritize patching systems that ingest external storage or disk images, especially operational environments where a hang could disrupt service or incident response.

Technical view

The bug is in ntfs3 attr_load_runs_range handling of inconsistent metadata. run_unpack can return success for an empty run list, leaving runs_tree uninitialized. attr_load_runs_range then repeatedly fails run_lookup_entry and advances vcn by zero. The fix adds retry detection and returns -EINVAL for corrupted metadata.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems that mount NTFS filesystems, removable media, disk images, or user-supplied storage artifacts using ntfs3. Systems that never process NTFS images are less exposed. Exact distro and vendor package impact must be checked against vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

The source describes a malformed NTFS image causing denial of service. KEV is false, and the bundle provides no cited evidence of active exploitation, public exploit use, privilege escalation, remote code execution, or data theft.

Researcher notes

The key condition is inconsistent NTFS metadata: evcn=-1 with svcn=0 reports an empty run list while callers expect data. The patch behavior described is defensive error return after repeated lookup failure. Source details are sufficient for triage but lack CVSS and distro-specific package mappings.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel or vendor updates containing the referenced ntfs3 fix.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for CVE-2025-71265 package status.
  • Avoid mounting untrusted NTFS images or removable media until patched.
  • Review Siemens advisories if using affected industrial products.
  • Limit NTFS automount workflows on systems that process external media.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory hosts that mount NTFS using the Linux ntfs3 driver.
  • Compare running kernel packages with vendor CVE-2025-71265 guidance.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the referenced stable ntfs3 commits.
  • Review automount and removable-media handling for untrusted NTFS exposure.
  • Document any Siemens products mapped to SSA-082556 or SSA-019113.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
11

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2025-71265 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
10Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxbe71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074, be71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074, be71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074, be71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074, be71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074, be71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074, be71b5cba2e6485e8959da7a9f9a44461a1bb074unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 5.15.202, 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.16, 6.19.6, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.