Linux Kernel up to 5.15.112/6.1.80/6.3.3 ntfs3 mi_init null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.112/6.1.80/6.3.3. Affected is the function mi_init of the component ntfs3. Such manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-53732. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.112/6.1.80/6.3.3. It has been rated as critical. Affected by this issue is the function mi_init of the component ntfs3. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs/ntfs3: Fix NULL dereference in ni_write_inode Syzbot reports a NULL dereference in ni_write_inode. When creating a new inode, if allocation fails in mi_init function (called in mi_format_new function), mi->mrec is set to NULL. In the error path of this inode creation, mi->mrec is later dereferenced in ni_write_inode. Add a NULL check to prevent NULL dereference.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-53732 since 10/22/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 5.15.113, 6.1.81 or 6.3.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch d4b74482529516477cf7b12502538e51827c699f/b3152afc0eb864f7c6ecad134a15b577ef7aec77/b1135fbaf8ebef93df326761ac70ebcc3c2e3d63/8dae4f6341e335a09575be60b4fdf697c732a470 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2394). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.15.112
• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1
• 6.1.2
• 6.1.3
• 6.1.4
• 6.1.5
• 6.1.6
• 6.1.7
• 6.1.8
• 6.1.9
• 6.1.10
• 6.1.11
• 6.1.12
• 6.1.13
• 6.1.14
• 6.1.15
• 6.1.16
• 6.1.17
• 6.1.18
• 6.1.19
• 6.1.20
• 6.1.21
• 6.1.22
• 6.1.23
• 6.1.24
• 6.1.25
• 6.1.26
• 6.1.27
• 6.1.28
• 6.1.29
• 6.1.30
• 6.1.31
• 6.1.32
• 6.1.33
• 6.1.34
• 6.1.35
• 6.1.36
• 6.1.37
• 6.1.38
• 6.1.39
• 6.1.40
• 6.1.41
• 6.1.42
• 6.1.43
• 6.1.44
• 6.1.45
• 6.1.46
• 6.1.47
• 6.1.48
• 6.1.49
• 6.1.50
• 6.1.51
• 6.1.52
• 6.1.53
• 6.1.54
• 6.1.55
• 6.1.56
• 6.1.57
• 6.1.58
• 6.1.59
• 6.1.60
• 6.1.61
• 6.1.62
• 6.1.63
• 6.1.64
• 6.1.65
• 6.1.66
• 6.1.67
• 6.1.68
• 6.1.69
• 6.1.70
• 6.1.71
• 6.1.72
• 6.1.73
• 6.1.74
• 6.1.75
• 6.1.76
• 6.1.77
• 6.1.78
• 6.1.79
• 6.1.80
• 6.3.0
• 6.3.1
• 6.3.2
• 6.3.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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