CVE-2026-64431
Received Received - Intake

Buffer Overflow in Linux Kernel NTFS Driver

Publication date: 2026-07-25

Last updated on: 2026-07-25

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: avoid calling post_write_mst_fixup() for invalid index_block ntfs_icx_ib_sync_write() calls post_write_mst_fixup() when ntfs_ib_write() returns an error, intending to restore the buffer after a failed write. However, ntfs_ib_write() returns an error immediately if pre_write_mst_fixup() validation fails. The caller, ntfs_icx_ib_sync_write(), interprets any error as a write failure requiring rollback. It does not differentiate between I/O errors and validation failures, and calls post_write_mst_fixup() anyway. Since post_write_mst_fixup() assumes that the index_block contents is correct, it doesn't perform the boundary checks, which results in out-of-bounds memory access. An attacker can craft a malicious NTFS image with: - large index_block.usa_ofs offset, pointing outside the ntfs_record - index_block.usa_count = 0, causing integer underflow - or index_block.usa_count larger than actual number of sectors in the ntfs_record, causing out-of-bounds access KASAN reports describing the memory corruption: ================================================================== BUG: KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds in post_write_mst_fixup+0x19c/0x1d0 Read of size 2 at addr ffff8881586c9018 by task p/9428 Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x100/0x190 print_report+0x139/0x4ad ? post_write_mst_fixup+0x19c/0x1d0 ? __virt_addr_valid+0x262/0x500 ? post_write_mst_fixup+0x19c/0x1d0 kasan_report+0xe4/0x1d0 ? post_write_mst_fixup+0x19c/0x1d0 post_write_mst_fixup+0x19c/0x1d0 ntfs_icx_ib_sync_write+0x179/0x220 ntfs_inode_sync_filename+0x83d/0x1080 __ntfs_write_inode+0x1049/0x1480 ntfs_file_fsync+0x131/0x9b0 ================================================================== BUG: KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds in post_write_mst_fixup+0x1aa/0x1d0 Write of size 2 at addr ffff8881586c91fe by task p/9428 Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x100/0x190 print_report+0x139/0x4ad ? post_write_mst_fixup+0x1aa/0x1d0 ? __virt_addr_valid+0x262/0x500 ? post_write_mst_fixup+0x1aa/0x1d0 kasan_report+0xe4/0x1d0 ? post_write_mst_fixup+0x1aa/0x1d0 post_write_mst_fixup+0x1aa/0x1d0 ntfs_icx_ib_sync_write+0x179/0x220 ntfs_inode_sync_filename+0x83d/0x1080 __ntfs_write_inode+0x1049/0x1480 ntfs_file_fsync+0x131/0x9b0 ================================================================== Let's move the post_write_mst_fixup() call to ntfs_ib_write(). The ntfs_ib_write() function calls pre_write_mst_fixup() at the beginning. If the index_block contents is invalid, pre_write_mst_fixup() fails and ntfs_ib_write() returns early without calling post_write_mst_fixup() on bad index_block.

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Meta Information

Published
2026-07-25
Last Modified
2026-07-25
Generated
2026-07-25
AI Q&A
2026-07-25
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-64431
EUVD
EUVD-2026-48775

Affected Vendors & Products

Currently, no data is known.

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Exploitability

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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel involves a flaw in the NTFS file system handling. When writing to an NTFS image, a function called post_write_mst_fixup() is incorrectly called even when validation fails, leading to out-of-bounds memory access. An attacker could exploit this by crafting a malicious NTFS image with specific invalid index_block values, causing memory corruption.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's NTFS filesystem handling. Detection requires checking for out-of-bounds memory access in the NTFS driver. Monitor kernel logs for KASAN reports indicating slab-out-of-bounds errors in post_write_mst_fixup. Use commands like dmesg | grep -i kasan or journalctl -k | grep -i kasan to search for memory corruption reports.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by triggering memory corruption on a system using the affected Linux kernel. It specifically targets systems with NTFS file system support and could lead to system crashes or unauthorized access.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest Linux kernel security updates that include the fix for this NTFS vulnerability. If immediate patching is not possible, avoid mounting untrusted NTFS images or disable NTFS support temporarily. Monitor vendor advisories for kernel updates addressing this issue.

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