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CVE Record

CVE-2026-80673: ntfs: bound the look-ahead attribute-list entry in ntfs_external_attr_find()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: bound the look-ahead attribute-list entry in ntfs_external_attr_find() When resolving an attribute lookup with a non-zero @lowest_vcn, ntfs_external_attr_find() peeks at the next $ATTRIBUTE_LIST entry to decide whether to keep searching, but bounds that not-yet-validated entry only with "(u8 *)next_al_entry + 6 < al_end" (which proves just bytes 0..6 are in range) and "(u8 *)next_al_entry + length <= al_end" with an attacker-controlled, non-8-aligned length. It then reads next_al_entry->lowest_vcn (an __le64 at offset 8) and the name at next_al_entry->name_offset, both of which can lie past al_end -- the exact end of the kvmalloc'd attribute-list buffer (allocated at the on-disk attr_list_size, no rounding). A crafted on-disk $ATTRIBUTE_LIST whose last entry sits a few bytes before al_end therefore yields a slab out-of-bounds read when the inode is read. Validate the look-ahead entry with ntfs_attr_list_entry_is_valid() (added in patch 1/3) before dereferencing lowest_vcn and the name, so the same fixed-header, length and name bounds the main attribute-list walk uses now guard this read too.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A malformed NTFS filesystem can make the Linux kernel read beyond an allocated memory buffer while examining file metadata. The record rates this critical, but the supplied technical evidence establishes an out-of-bounds read, not a demonstrated path to complete system compromise.

Executive priority

Prioritize exposed systems that automatically mount or inspect untrusted NTFS content. Patch promptly, while recognizing that the critical score overstates what the supplied technical narrative alone proves. Systems without NTFS exposure should be assessed rather than assumed vulnerable.

Technical view

ntfs_external_attr_find() insufficiently validated a look-ahead $ATTRIBUTE_LIST entry before reading lowest_vcn and name data. A crafted final entry near the attribute-list buffer boundary can trigger a slab out-of-bounds read when the inode is read. The referenced correction validates that entry with ntfs_attr_list_entry_is_valid() before dereferencing it.

Likely exposure

The bundle identifies Linux versions spanning 7.1 through 7.2 as affected, although its version data is ambiguous. Practical exposure appears concentrated where vulnerable kernels read attacker-controlled NTFS filesystems, disk images, or media. Confirm exact affected and fixed versions with kernel or distribution guidance.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is established: the bundle states KEV is false and provides no exploitation report. An attacker must supply a specially crafted on-disk NTFS $ATTRIBUTE_LIST and cause the vulnerable kernel to read the associated inode. Remote reachability is not demonstrated despite the supplied CVSS network vector.

Researcher notes

The demonstrated primitive is a slab out-of-bounds read caused by inadequate fixed-header, length, alignment, and name bounds validation. The record assigns CVSS 9.8 with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact, but the supplied sources do not document code execution, memory corruption through writing, or an exploitation chain.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable correction.
  • Check distribution guidance for precise affected and fixed package versions.
  • Restrict processing or mounting of untrusted NTFS media and images until updated.
  • Reduce attacker-controlled access to workflows that inspect NTFS filesystems.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and systems with NTFS support or NTFS-processing workflows.
  • Verify the installed kernel includes the referenced validation correction.
  • Confirm untrusted NTFS media and images are restricted before remediation.
  • Review distribution advisories when available to resolve the ambiguous version boundaries.
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

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CVE-2026-80673 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-2026-80673Attack 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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