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 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 41% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
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
Weaponised: 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 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 free-cluster readahead state from heap to stack memory, eliminating the failure path. Users should apply the updated linux-hwe-edge kernel versions that include this fix. No additional mitigation steps are required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NTFS driver caused a potential indefinite blocking condition due to heap allocation failure in free-cluster readahead state handling. The issue was fixed by changing the allocation to use stack memory, eliminating the failure path. This vulnerability affects specific versions of the linux-hwe-edge kernel and has a CVSS score of 7.5 with a medium severity rating.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-72202 (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)
- 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)