CVE-2025-22081 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's NTFS3 filesystem driver, specifically affecting 32-bit systems. The issue arises from integer overflow conditions during the calculation of offsets within the NTFS3 driver code, particularly in the expression involving "off + sizeof(struct NTFS_DE)". On 32-bit architectures, this addition can wrap around due to integer overflow, leading to incorrect memory offset calculations. This can cause the kernel to access unintended memory regions, potentially resulting in memory corruption, data leakage, or system instability. The vulnerability is addressed by replacing the vulnerable addition with a safer function, size_add(), which performs overflow-checked addition to prevent wrapping. The flaw is rooted in improper handling of integer arithmetic in kernel code that manages NTFS filesystem structures, a critical component for reading and writing NTFS volumes. Although the vulnerability is specific to 32-bit Linux systems, it affects any Linux distribution using the vulnerable kernel versions with the NTFS3 driver enabled. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability was published on April 16, 2025, and the fix involves patching the kernel source to use safe arithmetic operations to prevent integer overflow.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-22081 depends largely on the prevalence of 32-bit Linux systems running kernels with the vulnerable NTFS3 driver. While many modern systems have transitioned to 64-bit architectures, embedded devices, legacy systems, or specialized industrial equipment may still operate on 32-bit Linux kernels. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to kernel memory corruption, potentially allowing local attackers to escalate privileges, cause denial of service through system crashes, or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This can compromise system confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations relying on Linux-based infrastructure that mounts NTFS volumes, such as dual-boot systems, forensic tools, or file servers interfacing with Windows environments, may be at risk. The lack of known exploits suggests a low immediate threat, but the vulnerability's nature means it could be leveraged in targeted attacks or combined with other vulnerabilities for more severe impact. Given the critical role of Linux in European governmental, financial, and industrial sectors, unpatched systems could face operational disruptions or data breaches if exploited.

European organizations should prioritize patching Linux kernels to versions that include the fix for CVE-2025-22081, especially on 32-bit systems. System administrators should audit their infrastructure to identify any 32-bit Linux systems that mount NTFS volumes using the NTFS3 driver. Where patching is not immediately feasible, organizations can consider disabling NTFS3 support if NTFS filesystem access is not required, or mounting NTFS volumes in read-only mode to reduce risk. Additionally, implementing strict access controls to limit local user permissions can reduce the likelihood of exploitation. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual behavior related to filesystem operations and deploying host-based intrusion detection systems can help detect exploitation attempts. For embedded or legacy devices, vendors should be contacted for firmware or kernel updates. Finally, organizations should incorporate this vulnerability into their vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure timely remediation and detection.