CVE-2026-72206 ntfs: validate index block header more strictly
Insufficient validation of NTFS index block headers in the Linux kernel can lead to memory corruption, potentially allowing code execution or system crashes.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72206?
CVE-2026-72206 is a critical memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 15 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ntfs: validate index block header more strictly
Modify ntfs_index_block_inconsisent() to perform stricter validation of INDEX_HEADER geometry in INDX blocks, and update ntfs_lookup_inode_by_name() to use that function to validate INDX blocks.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72206?
How do I fix CVE-2026-72206?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-72206 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72206 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-72206, GHSA-4fpm-842r-3pf4, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-72206.