CVE-2026-72207Network attack vector

NTFS metadata corruption via zero-length attribute conversion

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Metadata corruption in Linux kernel before 7.1.5 allows attackers to corrupt an NTFS volume through crafted file operations. When ntfs_resident_attr_resize() runs out of MFT record space, its eviction loop selects a zero-length resident $DATA attribute and converts it to an invalid non-resident form. A writable mounted NTFS volume is required; local users with directory write access or remote clients with access to a writable NFS or SMB export can leave files or the volume inconsistent or unusable.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Metadata corruption in Linux kernel before 7.1.5 allows attackers to corrupt an NTFS volume through crafted file operations. When ntfs_resident_attr_resize() runs out of MFT record space, its eviction loop selects a zero-length resident $DATA attribute and converts it to an invalid non-resident form. A writable mounted NTFS volume is required; local users with directory write access or remote clients with access to a writable NFS or SMB export can leave files or the volume inconsistent or unusable.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-72207
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1485
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <7.1.5
  2. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <0aad21570197973af4a1b25b3fb8ed3aeb9e7670
  3. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <ceb49c37250125d418410988f2376ed4d57a6706

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=0 <7.1.5; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <0aad21570197973af4a1b25b3fb8ed3aeb9e7670; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <ceb49c37250125d418410988f2376ed4d57a6706

Published CVSS scores

9.8Linux CNACVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1485Data Destruction

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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