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CVE Record

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.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

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.
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-2026-80674 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-2026-80674Attack 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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