CVE-2026-72202: Linux kernel · ntfs: avoid heap allocation for free-cluster readahead state
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 20:18 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 15 Aug 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 12 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-fde-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available that changes the allocation of the readahead state from heap to stack memory, eliminating the failure path. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NTFS driver involves heap allocation failure during free-cluster readahead state processing. This failure can cause callers waiting for the free cluster count to block indefinitely, leading to a denial of service. The issue is resolved by changing the allocation to use stack memory instead of heap memory, eliminating the failure path. The fix also applies similar treatment to MFT record scanning. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions and has a high severity rating with a CVSS score of 7.5.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72202 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72202 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c05132077df57a384919f61d7f8a8e76d748a6d4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/40ee64e633e5e413f2255bb48c063977d8c86f34 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c05132077df57a384919f61d7f8a8e76d748a6d4 (opens in a new tab)