CVE-2026-98138
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: do not mark the volume clean in sync_fs when errors were recorded ntfs_put_super() and the remount-read-only path both clear the dirty bit only when NVolErrors(vol) is false. ntfs_sync_fs() clears it unconditionally, so any sync() on a volume that recorded an error marks that volume clean. A volume without this set is then seen as not needing recovery and it does not run one, so whatever went wrong is never repaired. This change skips resetting the dirty bit when there are volume errors. Reproduced on a volume whose $MFTMirr does not match $MFT, which sets the error flag while leaving the mount read-write: after a write and a sync, the on-disk volume flags read 0x0000 with this driver and 0x0001 with the guard in place.
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
7.1
and later are affected. Fixed in
7.2.7,
7.3-rc2
and their respective stable series.
References
2 totalFrequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2026-98138?
CVE-2026-98138 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 7.1 onward and has been patched in 7.2.7 and 7.3-rc2. CVE-2026-98138 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98138?
Yes. CVE-2026-98138 has been patched. Fixed versions include 7.2.7 and 7.3-rc2. If you are running Linux kernel 7.1 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
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Is CVE-2026-98138 actively exploited?
No. CVE-2026-98138 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.