CVE-2026-31716: fs/ntfs3: validate rec->used in journal-replay file record check
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fs/ntfs3: validate rec->used in journal-replay file record check
check_file_record() validates rec->total against the record size but
never validates rec->used. The do_action() journal-replay handlers read
rec->used from disk and use it to compute memmove lengths:
DeleteAttribute: memmove(attr, ..., used - asize - roff)
CreateAttribute: memmove(..., attr, used - roff)
change_attr_size: memmove(..., used - PtrOffset(rec, next))
When rec->used is smaller than the offset of a validated attribute, or
larger than the record size, these subtractions can underflow allowing
us to copy huge amounts of memory in to a 4kb buffer, generally
considered a bad idea overall.
This requires a corrupted filesystem, which isn't a threat model the
kernel really needs to worry about, but checking for such an obvious
out-of-bounds value is good to keep things robust, especially on journal
replay
Fix this up by bounding rec->used correctly.
This is much like commit b2bc7c44ed17 ("fs/ntfs3: Fix slab-out-of-bounds
read in DeleteIndexEntryRoot") which checked different values in this
same switch statement.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A corrupted NTFS filesystem can trigger unsafe memory copying in the Linux kernel during journal replay. This may corrupt kernel memory and could compromise confidentiality, integrity, or system availability. Exploitation requires the system to process a malformed filesystem; it is not described as a remote network attack.
Executive priority
Prioritize patching systems that routinely accept removable media, disk images, recovery volumes, or other externally supplied NTFS filesystems. Treat ordinary systems without NTFS exposure as lower urgency, while still updating through normal kernel maintenance. There is no supplied evidence of active exploitation.
Technical view
The ntfs3 check_file_record() function bounded rec->total but not rec->used. Journal-replay handlers subtract attribute offsets from the disk-controlled used value. Values below an attribute offset or above the record size can underflow length calculations, causing oversized memmove operations into a 4 KB buffer. The fix validates rec->used bounds.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems using the ntfs3 driver that process a corrupted NTFS filesystem and replay its journal. The supplied data lists multiple affected kernel branches, but its version representation does not provide a sufficiently clear fixed-version mapping. Confirm status through the applicable kernel or distribution advisory.
Exploitation context
The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 with local attack vector, low complexity, no privileges, and user interaction required. The supplied record is not in KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation. It describes corrupted-filesystem processing as the prerequisite, without demonstrating practical weaponization.
Researcher notes
The central invariant is that rec->used must remain within the validated file-record bounds and must not precede referenced attributes. The vulnerable paths include DeleteAttribute, CreateAttribute, and change_attr_size during journal replay. Sources establish possible oversized memory copies, but do not establish reliable code execution or exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable cited stable fix.
Check Linux distribution guidance for exact affected and corrected package versions.
Avoid processing untrusted or unexpectedly corrupted NTFS filesystems until remediation is confirmed.
Apply normal controls restricting removable media and untrusted filesystem images.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernel versions on systems that may mount NTFS filesystems.
Determine whether the ntfs3 driver is present and operationally used.
Verify the installed kernel includes the applicable stable fix or vendor backport.
Review logs for NTFS journal-replay failures or kernel memory errors.
Retest approved NTFS workflows after updating the kernel.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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