CVE-2025-38707 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/04/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fs/ntfs3: Add sanity check for file name
The length of the file name should be smaller than the directory entry size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-38707 resides within the Linux kernel's ntfs3 file system implementation, specifically addressing a critical flaw in how file names are validated during directory entry processing. This issue manifests in the fs/ntfs3 subsystem where the kernel fails to properly validate the length of file names against the directory entry size constraints, creating a potential avenue for system instability or exploitation. The ntfs3 driver handles ntfs3 file system operations and is part of the broader Linux file system infrastructure that manages ntfs3 formatted storage devices.
The technical flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the kernel does not enforce proper bounds checking on file name lengths before processing directory entries. When a file name exceeds the allocated directory entry size, the system may experience memory corruption or undefined behavior during file system operations. This vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the ntfs3 file system driver, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially affect system stability and integrity. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that should ensure file name lengths remain within acceptable parameters relative to the directory entry structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system corruption, potentially enabling privilege escalation or system crashes that could disrupt normal operations. An attacker could exploit this condition by creating malicious file names that exceed directory entry size limits, causing the kernel to process invalid memory regions. This could result in denial of service conditions where the system becomes unresponsive or crash during file system operations. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with ntfs3 support and could be particularly problematic in environments where ntfs3 file systems are actively used for data storage or transfer operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the ntfs3 subsystem. System administrators should ensure their kernels are updated to versions containing the patched ntfs3 implementation that includes proper sanity checks for file name lengths. The fix involves adding explicit validation logic that verifies file name lengths against directory entry size constraints before processing. This remediation aligns with security best practices for kernel development and follows the principle of least privilege by preventing malformed data from causing system-wide issues. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious file system operations and implementing proper system hardening measures to reduce the attack surface.
This vulnerability relates to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of length of input buffers, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to gain elevated system access. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in kernel space operations and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of file system drivers against edge cases. Security teams should monitor for similar issues in other file system implementations and ensure that all kernel subsystems implement proper bounds checking mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.