CVE-2026-72353: Linux kernel · ntfs: avoid stale runlist element dereference in fallocate
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High.
Data as of 12 Nov 2026, 20:18 UTC
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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 addresses the vulnerability by copying runlist element fields while holding the read lock to avoid dereferencing freed memory. Users and administrators should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this fix for the affected versions. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the patch.
Description
CVE-2026-72353 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NTFS file system driver related to the fallocate operation. The flaw arises from dereferencing a stale runlist element pointer after the read lock protecting it is dropped, allowing access to freed memory. This can lead to memory corruption and potentially escalate privileges or cause system instability. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions and has been fixed by copying necessary runlist fields while the lock is held to avoid accessing freed memory.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-72353 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-72353 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/88496c4ac5a6ade75619f4b1015706a8b924d50a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3dd3e43f17cda174009a51fe668046ed7afef46a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/88496c4ac5a6ade75619f4b1015706a8b924d50a (opens in a new tab)