Skip to main content
VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2026-72354: Linux kernel · ntfs: avoid stale runlist element dereference in MFT writeback

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

0
Compare

Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.8 High.

Data as of 9 Nov 2026, 14:04 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
8.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 15 Aug 2026

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponized: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq 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 9 Nov 2026.

What to do

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1007.7~24.04.1 – 6.14.0-1018.18~24.04.1
11 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-aws-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 6.17.0-1005.5~24.04.2 – 6.17.0-1020.20~24.04.1
10 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.11pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.11?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 6.11.0-1008.8~24.04.1 – 6.11.0-1018.18~24.04.1
7 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1010.10~24.04.1 – 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
5 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-6.17pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-6.17?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 6.17.0-1008.8~24.04.1 – 6.17.0-1022.22
10 affected builds
Fixed in–
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azure-fde-6.14pkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde-6.14?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threatsAffected
  • 6.14.0-1012.12~24.04.1 – 6.14.0-1017.17~24.04.1
5 affected builds
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 and should be applied by upgrading to patched Linux kernel versions that address this issue. The vendor advisory confirms resolution by modifying the code to avoid use-after-free conditions during MFT writeback. Users should update affected kernel versions to the fixed releases listed by their Linux distribution vendors. No additional mitigation steps are indicated.

Description

CVE-2026-72354 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NTFS driver related to stale runlist element dereference during Master File Table (MFT) writeback. The flaw occurs when a runlist element pointer is used after its backing memory has been freed due to concurrent MFT allocation extension, leading to a use-after-free condition. This can cause kernel crashes or potentially allow an attacker with local privileges to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service. The issue affects specific Linux kernel versions listed and has been resolved by changing the code to compute necessary values while holding the lock, avoiding use of freed memory. No known exploits are reported in the wild.

References

Community reviews

Loading reviews…