CVE-2026-80674: ntfs: validate resident attribute lists and harden the validator
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ntfs: validate resident attribute lists and harden the validator
A base inode's $ATTRIBUTE_LIST is sanity-checked by load_attribute_list()
only on the non-resident path; ntfs_read_locked_inode() copies a *resident*
attribute list into ni->attr_list with a plain memcpy() and no validation
at all. Every subsequent walk of ni->attr_list --
ntfs_external_attr_find(), ntfs_inode_attach_all_extents() and
ntfs_attrlist_need() -- then trusts the entries are well-formed and reads
attr_list_entry fixed-header fields
(lowest_vcn at offset 8, mft_reference at offset 16, and the name) with
bounds that assume validation already happened. A crafted resident
attribute list therefore reaches those walks unvalidated and can drive
out-of-bounds reads of the attribute-list buffer.
load_attribute_list() itself reads ale->name_offset (offset 7),
ale->mft_reference (offset 16) and the name length under only an
"al < al_start + size" bound, so its own validation loop can over-read the
fixed header of a truncated trailing entry by a few bytes.
Factor the per-entry validation into ntfs_attr_list_entry_is_valid(),
which requires each entry's fixed header (offsetof(struct
attr_list_entry, name)) to be in range before any field is dereferenced,
that ale->length is a multiple of 8 covering the fixed header plus the
name, and that the entry is in use and carries a live MFT reference.
ntfs_attr_list_is_valid() walks the buffer with it and checks the entries
tile it exactly. Use the list validator in load_attribute_list()
(replacing the open-coded loop, closing its own over-read) and on the
resident path in ntfs_read_locked_inode() (which previously skipped
validation entirely); patches 2/3 reuse the per-entry helper at the other
two attribute-list walks.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Linux can trust malformed metadata inside a resident NTFS attribute list and read beyond its allocated buffer. Systems that process untrusted NTFS filesystems may be exposed. The supplied CVSS score is 9.8, but the sources do not establish code execution or a demonstrated remote attack path.
Executive priority
Prioritize rapid assessment and remediation on systems processing external or untrusted NTFS content. Treat the rating seriously because the flaw occurs in kernel parsing, while recognizing that active exploitation and practical impact are not established. Validate vendor-specific exposure before initiating broad emergency changes.
Technical view
The NTFS driver failed to validate resident $ATTRIBUTE_LIST entries before later walkers accessed fixed-header and name fields. Its existing non-resident validator could also over-read truncated trailing entries. The fix adds strict per-entry bounds, length, alignment, usage, MFT-reference, and exact-buffer-tiling checks, then applies them across relevant paths.
Likely exposure
The affected record identifies Linux versions beginning at 7.1 and indicates 7.2 as the next boundary, but its version encoding is ambiguous. Highest concern applies where affected kernels parse attacker-controlled NTFS volumes or images. The sources do not explain how the CVSS network vector is reached.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status is false, and the supplied sources provide no evidence of active exploitation or a public proof of concept. Exploitation requires malformed resident NTFS attribute-list data to reach the vulnerable kernel parser. Practical outcomes beyond out-of-bounds reads are not demonstrated in the bundle.
Researcher notes
The core primitive is an out-of-bounds read caused by missing resident-list validation and incomplete bounds checks in the older validator. The 9.8 AV:N vector is not reconciled with the filesystem parsing path in the description. Exact affected-version semantics are also unclear, so vendor package mapping and commit-level verification are important.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced NTFS validation fixes.
Confirm distribution backports against both referenced Linux stable commits.
Restrict processing or mounting of untrusted NTFS media and images until remediation.
Check Linux distribution security guidance for precise affected and fixed package versions.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernel versions on systems that mount or otherwise process NTFS filesystems.
Determine whether affected systems accept NTFS media or images from untrusted sources.
Verify package changelogs or source history include the referenced validation changes.
After updating, confirm the running kernel matches the remediated package.
Monitor vendor advisories for clarified version ranges and exploitability details.
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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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.