Linux Kernel up to 6.19.3 ntfs3 ntfs_read_folio deadlock

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.19.3 and classified as critical. This affects the function ntfs_read_folio of the component ntfs3. Such manipulation leads to deadlock. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2025-71309. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.19.3. Affected by this issue is the function ntfs_read_folio of the component ntfs3. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a deadlock vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-833. The product contains multiple threads or executable segments that are waiting for each other to release a necessary lock, resulting in deadlock. Impacted is availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs/ntfs3: fix deadlock in ni_read_folio_cmpr Syzbot reported a task hung in ni_readpage_cmpr (now ni_read_folio_cmpr). This is caused by a lock inversion deadlock involving the inode mutex (ni_lock) and page locks. Scenario: 1. Task A enters ntfs_read_folio() for page X. It acquires ni_lock. 2. Task A calls ni_read_folio_cmpr(), which attempts to lock all pages in the compressed frame (including page Y). 3. Concurrently, Task B (e.g., via readahead) has locked page Y and calls ntfs_read_folio(). 4. Task B waits for ni_lock (held by A). 5. Task A waits for page Y lock (held by B). -> DEADLOCK. The fix is to restructure locking: do not take ni_lock in ntfs_read_folio(). Instead, acquire ni_lock inside ni_read_folio_cmpr() ONLY AFTER all required page locks for the frame have been successfully acquired. This restores the correct lock ordering (Page Lock -> ni_lock) consistent with VFS. [[email protected]: ni_readpage_cmpr was renamed to ni_read_folio_cmpr]

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2025-71309 since 05/08/2026. The exploitation is known to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 6.19.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch cfe246b318106e1691bd6c9466c739e8559d25c2/e37a75bb866c29da954b51d0dd7670406246d9ee 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-2026-1700). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Google Container-Optimized OS
• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• Siemens SIMATIC S7

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.19.0
• 6.19.1
• 6.19.2
• 6.19.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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