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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46169: hfsplus: fix uninit-value by validating catalog record size

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: hfsplus: fix uninit-value by validating catalog record size Syzbot reported a KMSAN uninit-value issue in hfsplus_strcasecmp(). The root cause is that hfs_brec_read() doesn't validate that the on-disk record size matches the expected size for the record type being read. When mounting a corrupted filesystem, hfs_brec_read() may read less data than expected. For example, when reading a catalog thread record, the debug output showed: HFSPLUS_BREC_READ: rec_len=520, fd->entrylength=26 HFSPLUS_BREC_READ: WARNING - entrylength (26) < rec_len (520) - PARTIAL READ! hfs_brec_read() only validates that entrylength is not greater than the buffer size, but doesn't check if it's less than expected. It successfully reads 26 bytes into a 520-byte structure and returns success, leaving 494 bytes uninitialized. This uninitialized data in tmp.thread.nodeName then gets copied by hfsplus_cat_build_key_uni() and used by hfsplus_strcasecmp(), triggering the KMSAN warning when the uninitialized bytes are used as array indices in case_fold(). Fix by introducing hfsplus_brec_read_cat() wrapper that: 1. Calls hfs_brec_read() to read the data 2. Validates the record size based on the type field: - Fixed size for folder and file records - Variable size for thread records (depends on string length) 3. Returns -EIO if size doesn't match expected For thread records, check against HFSPLUS_MIN_THREAD_SZ before reading nodeName.length to avoid reading uninitialized data at call sites that don't zero-initialize the entry structure. Also initialize the tmp variable in hfsplus_find_cat() as defensive programming to ensure no uninitialized data even if validation is bypassed.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue is in HFS+ filesystem handling. A malformed or corrupted HFS+ volume can cause the kernel to use uninitialized memory while mounting or reading catalog records. The provided sources do not state real-world exploitation, business impact, or CVSS severity.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel maintenance item, not an emergency, unless the environment processes untrusted filesystems. The absence of CVSS and KEV evidence limits urgency, but kernel filesystem bugs deserve timely patching on exposed systems.

Technical view

hfs_brec_read() accepted catalog records smaller than the expected structure. Partial reads left bytes uninitialized, later copied into HFS+ catalog key handling and consumed by hfsplus_strcasecmp(). The fix adds type-aware catalog record size validation and defensive initialization in hfsplus_find_cat().

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems that mount HFS+ filesystems or process untrusted disk images, removable media, or corrupted Apple-format volumes. Systems without HFS+ support or workflows that never mount HFS+ are less likely exposed.

Exploitation context

The bundle cites a syzbot KMSAN finding during corrupted filesystem mounting. CISA KEV is false, and no cited source claims active exploitation or a public exploit. Practical attackability is not established by the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

The record describes incomplete catalog record size validation, especially thread records with variable length. Evidence supports a corrupted-filesystem trigger and KMSAN uninitialized-value report, but not a proven privilege escalation, information disclosure, or denial-of-service impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable hfsplus fixes.
  • Prioritize hosts that mount user-supplied media or disk images.
  • Restrict automatic mounting of untrusted HFS+ volumes where feasible.
  • Check Linux vendor advisories for fixed package versions.
  • Keep kernel sanitization findings in regression tracking.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts with HFS+ filesystem support enabled.
  • Identify services or workflows mounting HFS+ media or images.
  • Compare running kernel versions against vendor fixed builds.
  • Confirm relevant stable commits are included in custom kernels.
  • Review logs for crashes or sanitizer reports in hfsplus code.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

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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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
0ADP providers
6Source 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.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.12, 0, 6.6.140, 6.12.88, 6.18.30, 7.0.7, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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