CVE-2024-41019 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fs/ntfs3: Validate ff offset
This adds sanity checks for ff offset. There is a check on rt->first_free at first, but walking through by ff without any check. If the second ff is a large offset. We may encounter an out-of-bound read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41019 affects the Linux kernel's ntfs3 filesystem driver and represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition that could potentially lead to system instability or information disclosure. This flaw exists within the file system handling mechanisms of the kernel, specifically in how the driver processes free space tracking information. The ntfs3 driver is responsible for managing NTFS version 3 filesystems, which are commonly used in Windows environments and interoperability scenarios within Linux systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of free space offset values during filesystem traversal operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted filesystem structures could trigger unexpected behavior in the kernel's memory access patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific flaw in how the driver handles the rt->first_free field within the filesystem structure. While the code does perform an initial check on rt->first_free, it subsequently processes through free space entries without proper validation of the ff offset values. When a second free space entry contains an excessively large offset value, the driver fails to validate this boundary condition before attempting to access memory locations beyond the intended filesystem structure. This represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the offset calculation does not properly account for the actual bounds of the filesystem data structures. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and filesystem parsing, where improper bounds checking leads to unauthorized memory access patterns that could be exploited by attackers with control over filesystem content.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-41019 extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces or cause system crashes through controlled denial of service conditions. When the driver encounters a maliciously crafted ntfs3 filesystem with oversized free space offsets, the out-of-bounds read could expose sensitive kernel memory contents or trigger memory corruption that might be leveraged for privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where untrusted filesystems might be mounted, such as removable storage devices, network shares, or virtual machine disk images. This flaw aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input bounds, and specifically demonstrates the dangers of insufficient validation in filesystem parsing operations. The attack vector requires an attacker to have the ability to create or modify ntfs3 filesystem structures, making it more relevant in scenarios involving removable media or network filesystems where such modifications might be possible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability focus on implementing proper bounds checking within the ntfs3 filesystem driver to validate all offset values before memory access operations. System administrators should ensure that all Linux systems running affected kernel versions are updated with patches that include the additional sanity checks for free space offset validation. The fix involves adding proper range validation for ff offset values to prevent traversal beyond the legitimate filesystem boundaries, effectively preventing the out-of-bounds read condition. Organizations should prioritize patching systems that mount external storage devices or network filesystems where untrusted ntfs3 content might be present. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel space drivers and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities. The fix demonstrates the principle of defensive programming where all input parameters are validated against expected ranges before processing, preventing the exploitation of boundary condition errors that could lead to system compromise.