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CVE Record

CVE-2026-72211: ntfs: grow index root value before reparent header update

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: grow index root value before reparent header update ntfs_ir_reparent() moves the resident index root entries into an index block and leaves a small root stub containing the child VCN. That root stub can be larger than the existing resident value. For example, an empty root with value_length 48 has an index area of 32 bytes, while the large-index root stub needs index_length and allocated_size of 40 bytes. The current code publishes the larger index.index_length and index.allocated_size before resizing the resident value. If the resize returns -ENOSPC, the recovery path can call ntfs_inode_add_attrlist(), which looks attributes up again while the root header says allocated_size 40 but the resident value still only provides 32 bytes of index area. Lookup-time $INDEX_ROOT validation then correctly rejects that transient layout as corrupt. This reproduces as a generic/013 failure under qemu. In the failing run, the transient root had value_len=48, index_size=32, index_length=40, and allocated_size=40, and ntfsprogs-plus ntfsck reported "Corrupt index root in MFT record 1177". When the root stub grows, resize the resident value before publishing the larger root header. If the resize fails, the old root remains valid for recovery lookups. Keep the existing header-before-resize ordering for shrink or same-size cases so the resident value never temporarily exposes an allocated_size beyond its bounds.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux NTFS filesystem bug can temporarily make an index root appear corrupt when the kernel enlarges it and runs out of space. This may disrupt filesystem operations or recovery processing. The supplied record rates it critical, but provides no evidence of real-world attacks or demonstrated confidentiality, integrity, or availability impact beyond the reported corruption failure.

Executive priority

Prioritize rapid exposure confirmation and vendor-kernel updates on systems handling NTFS media or images. Treat remediation as urgent where affected code is present, but avoid assuming internet-wide compromise: the provided evidence shows a reproducible corruption condition, not active exploitation or confirmed remote reachability.

Technical view

ntfs_ir_reparent() updated index_length and allocated_size before enlarging the resident value. If resizing returned -ENOSPC, recovery lookups encountered a header claiming 40 bytes while only 32 bytes were available, triggering corruption validation. The fix enlarges the resident value first when growth is required, preserving the valid old root if resizing fails.

Likely exposure

Potential exposure is limited to Linux systems running an affected kernel and exercising the NTFS index-root reparenting path, particularly during low-space conditions. The supplied affected-version data references Linux 7.1 through 7.2 but is ambiguous and should be verified against distribution guidance and the linked stable commits.

Exploitation context

The supplied record is not in KEV and contains no evidence of active exploitation, public proof-of-concept code, or remote attack reproduction. Its reproduction is a generic/013 test failure under QEMU. Although the supplied CVSS is 9.8 with a network vector, the technical description does not establish how an unauthenticated network attacker reaches the vulnerable NTFS path.

Researcher notes

The key invariant is that allocated_size must never exceed the resident value's available index area during lookup. Reported transient values were value_len 48, index_size 32, index_length 40, and allocated_size 40. Researchers should reconcile the critical network CVSS vector with the described filesystem-local trigger before drawing exploitability conclusions.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux distribution advisories for packages incorporating either linked stable-kernel fix.
  • Update affected systems to a vendor-supported kernel containing the correction.
  • Until updated, reduce unnecessary writes to untrusted NTFS filesystems, where operationally feasible.
  • Follow vendor guidance because the supplied sources name no standalone configuration workaround.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions on systems that mount or modify NTFS filesystems.
  • Compare deployed kernel source or package changelogs with the linked corrective commits.
  • Confirm distribution advisories classify each deployed kernel as fixed or unaffected.
  • Review filesystem and kernel diagnostics for index-root corruption or NTFS errors.
  • Test the vendor-fixed kernel using relevant filesystem regression coverage before broad deployment.
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-2026-72211 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-2026-72211Attack 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
LinuxLinux0a8ac0c1fa0b99a5b29002bc7f232ed7eafddef0, 0a8ac0c1fa0b99a5b29002bc7f232ed7eafddef0unaffected
LinuxLinux7.1, 0, 7.1.5, 7.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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