CVE-2026-72211

Critical

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: grow index root value before reparent header update ntfs_ir_reparent() moves the resident index root entries into an index block and leaves a small root stub containing the child VCN. That root stub can be larger than the existing resident value. For example, an empty root with value_length 48 has an index area of 32 bytes, while the large-index root stub needs index_length and allocated_size of 40 bytes. The current code publishes the larger index.index_length and index.allocated_size before resizing the resident value. If the resize returns -ENOSPC, the recovery path can call ntfs_inode_add_attrlist(), which looks attributes up again while the root header says allocated_size 40 but the resident value still only provides 32 bytes of index area. Lookup-time $INDEX_ROOT validation then correctly rejects that transient layout as corrupt. This reproduces as a generic/013 failure under qemu. In the failing run, the transient root had value_len=48, index_size=32, index_length=40, and allocated_size=40, and ntfsprogs-plus ntfsck reported "Corrupt index root in MFT record 1177". When the root stub grows, resize the resident value before publishing the larger root header. If the resize fails, the old root remains valid for recovery lookups. Keep the existing header-before-resize ordering for shrink or same-size cases so the resident value never temporarily exposes an allocated_size beyond its bounds.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-08-15
Last modified 2026-08-18
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

9.8

out of 10
Critical
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 7.1 and later are affected. Fixed in 7.1.5, 7.2 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 7.1
Fixed in
✓ 7.1.5 7.1.x ✓ 7.2

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-72211?

    CVE-2026-72211 is a Critical severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 7.1 onward and has been patched in 7.1.5 and 7.2. CVE-2026-72211 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-72211?

    CVE-2026-72211 has a CVSS score of 9.8 out of 10, rated Critical severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-72211?

    Yes. CVE-2026-72211 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.1.5 and 7.2. If you are running Linux kernel 7.1 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-72211 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-72211 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.