CVE-2025-68728 ntfs3: fix uninit memory after failed mi_read in mi_format_new
A local attacker can trigger uninitialized memory access in the Linux kernel ntfs3 driver, potentially leaking sensitive data or causing a system crash.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2025-68728?
CVE-2025-68728 is a vulnerability in Linux, published on 24 Dec 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ntfs3: fix uninit memory after failed mi_read in mi_format_new
Fix a KMSAN un-init bug found by syzkaller.
ntfs_get_bh() expects a buffer from sb_getblk(), that buffer may not be uptodate. We do not bring the buffer uptodate before setting it as uptodate. If the buffer were to not be uptodate, it could mean adding a buffer with un-init data to the mi record. Attempting to load that record will trigger KMSAN.
Avoid this by setting the buffer as uptodate, if it’s not already, by overwriting it.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2025-68728?
How do I fix CVE-2025-68728?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2025-68728 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2025-68728 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2025-68728, DEBIAN-CVE-2025-68728, GHSA-8mm6-9q78-9fr6, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2025-68728, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-13-CVE-2025-68728, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2025-68728 and 2 more.