Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ntfs: validate non-resident attribute offsets

ntfs_attr_update_meta() shifts the attribute name when converting between
non-sparse and sparse attributes. Converting to sparse also adds the
compressed_size field before the name and mapping pairs, requiring eight
additional bytes in the attribute record.

However, the validator does not check that name_offset is within safe
boundaries for these operations or that the additional space is available.
A malicious MFT record could set name_offset such that:

1. The name is positioned at the very end of a non-sparse attribute.
Converting to sparse would shift the name forward by 8 bytes,
writing beyond the attribute boundary.

2. The name overlaps with the mapping pairs, causing corruption during
conversion.

Add validation to ensure:
- For named attributes, name_offset is within valid bounds
- Name does not extend beyond the attribute or overlap with mapping pairs
- For non-sparse, non-compressed attributes, eight bytes are available
after mapping_pairs_offset for the compressed_size field

The space check also covers unnamed attributes, for which name_offset = 0
is valid and no name range needs to be checked.
Published: 2026-09-11
Score: 9.8 Critical
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Memory Corruption
Action: Apply Patch
AI Analysis

Impact

In the Linux kernel, a missing validation for the name_offset field in NTFS non‑resident attributes allows a crafted NTFS Master File Table record to write past the end of the attribute or overlap mapping pairs during conversion. This can corrupt kernel memory and potentially lead to denial‑of‑service or arbitrary code execution if the attacker can execute the corrupted code path. The flaw arises from improper bounds checking of name_offset when converting between non‑sparse and sparse attributes, exposing a classic buffer‑overwrite vulnerability (CWE‑787).

Affected Systems

The vulnerability affects is the Linux kernel; the specific kernel versions impacted are not enumerated in the advisory, so any kernel containing the unpatched ntfs_attr_update_meta implementation is susceptible.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 5.7 indicates a medium severity. The EPSS score is < 1%, pointing to a very low probability of exploitation, and the issue is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog. The likely attack vector requires local access to create or modify a malicious NTFS file or disk image that the kernel processes; remote exploitation is unlikely unless a service exposes the NTFS parser. If an attacker can influence the MFT record read by the kernel, exploitation could lead to memory corruption and a subsequent crash or further compromise with elevated privileges.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 13, 2026 at 05:36 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Apply the upstream kernel patch that adds validation for non‑resident attribute offsets, or upgrade to a Linux kernel release that incorporates the fix.
  • If system, disable or remove the NTFS module to eliminate the attack surface.
  • Audit and scan any NTFS‑formatted media or filesystems on the system for potentially malicious content before mounting or importing them into the kernel.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on September 13, 2026 at 05:36 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 06:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-787
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.7, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: validate non-resident attribute offsets ntfs_attr_update_meta() shifts the attribute name when converting between non-sparse and sparse attributes. Converting to sparse also adds the compressed_size field before the name and mapping pairs, requiring eight additional bytes in the attribute record. However, the validator does not check that name_offset is within safe boundaries for these operations or that the additional space is available. A malicious MFT record could set name_offset such that: 1. The name is positioned at the very end of a non-sparse attribute. Converting to sparse would shift the name forward by 8 bytes, writing beyond the attribute boundary. 2. The name overlaps with the mapping pairs, causing corruption during conversion. Add validation to ensure: - For named attributes, name_offset is within valid bounds - Name does not extend beyond the attribute or overlap with mapping pairs - For non-sparse, non-compressed attributes, eight bytes are available after mapping_pairs_offset for the compressed_size field The space check also covers unnamed attributes, for which name_offset = 0 is valid and no name range needs to be checked.
Title ntfs: validate non-resident attribute offsets
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-09-13T06:31:48.805Z

Reserved: 2026-09-11T19:38:34.734Z

Link: CVE-2026-89611

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-11T20:19:46.203

Modified: 2026-09-13T07:17:26.617

Link: CVE-2026-89611

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-09-11T19:45:12Z

Links: CVE-2026-89611 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-09-13T05:45:18Z

Weaknesses