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CVE Record

CVE-2026-72210: ntfs: fix off-by-one in mapping pairs decoding bounds checks

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: fix off-by-one in mapping pairs decoding bounds checks In ntfs_mapping_pairs_decompress(), attr_end points one byte past the end of the attribute record: attr_end = (u8 *)attr + le32_to_cpu(attr->length); The two bounds checks validating that mapping pair data bytes fit within the attribute use strict greater-than (>), which allows a one-byte out-of-bounds read when the data extends exactly to attr_end: b = *buf & 0xf; if (b) { if (unlikely(buf + b > attr_end)) // off-by-one goto io_error; for (deltaxcn = (s8)buf[b--]; b; b--) deltaxcn = (deltaxcn << 8) + buf[b]; } When buf + b == attr_end, the check evaluates to false and buf[b] reads one byte past the valid attribute boundary. The same pattern appears in the LCN delta bytes check. Fix both checks to use >= so that buf[b] at exactly attr_end is correctly rejected as out of bounds.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux NTFS filesystem parser can read one byte beyond a valid attribute boundary when decoding specially formed mapping data. Systems are exposed when affected kernels process NTFS content. Although rated critical in the supplied record, the sources establish an out-of-bounds read but do not demonstrate code execution, remote reachability, or broader impact.

Executive priority

Treat as an urgent patch-validation issue on systems that process untrusted NTFS content. Do not infer internet-wide remote compromise from the 9.8 score alone: the supplied technical evidence describes a parser over-read, while practical impact and exploitability remain unproven. Prioritize exposed workloads, then validate vendor backports across the remaining Linux estate.

Technical view

In ntfs_mapping_pairs_decompress(), two checks used > instead of >= against attr_end. When buf plus the decoded field length equals attr_end, subsequent indexing reads one byte outside the attribute record. The referenced stable-kernel changes correct both checks. The supplied affected-version data identifies Linux 7.1 through 7.1.5 and 7.2, but its version formatting is ambiguous.

Likely exposure

Prioritize Linux systems running the listed affected versions that enable NTFS support and process NTFS filesystems, disk images, or removable media. Exposure through network services is not established by the technical description, despite the supplied CVSS network vector. The record marks other listed versions as unaffected, but distribution-specific backports require vendor confirmation.

Exploitation context

The supplied record says this issue is not in KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public proof of concept. Triggering requires the vulnerable NTFS decoder to encounter boundary-reaching mapping-pair data. Whether this can produce consequences beyond a one-byte read is not established by the sources.

Researcher notes

The defect is a pair of boundary-condition errors in mapping-pair decoding. Changing > to >= rejects indexing exactly at attr_end. Important uncertainties remain: no CWE is supplied, affected-version notation is inconsistent, and the CVSS confidentiality, integrity, availability, and network claims are not substantiated by the included technical narrative. No exploitability evidence is provided.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor-supported kernel update containing the referenced bounds-check correction.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes and authoritative affected-version guidance.
  • Until updated, restrict affected systems from processing untrusted NTFS media or disk images.
  • Follow vendor guidance if operational constraints prevent immediate kernel replacement.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and identify systems with NTFS filesystem support enabled.
  • Confirm the installed kernel includes either applicable referenced stable fix or a vendor backport.
  • Review whether affected hosts process removable NTFS media, disk images, or externally supplied filesystems.
  • After updating, verify the patched kernel is running and document any required reboot.
  • Monitor vendor advisories for corrected version ranges or revised impact information.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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

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CVE-2026-72210 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

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

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-72210Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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
LinuxLinux1e9ea7e04472d4e5e12e58c881eaacfb3e49b669, 1e9ea7e04472d4e5e12e58c881eaacfb3e49b669unaffected
LinuxLinux7.1, 0, 7.1.5, 7.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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