Linux Kernel ntfs ntfs_non_resident_attr_insert_range memory leak

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.2$0-$5k0.48

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Linux Kernel. This affects the function ntfs_non_resident_attr_insert_range of the component ntfs. The manipulation leads to memory leak. This vulnerability is listed as CVE-2026-72184. The attack may be initiated remotely. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel (affected version not known) and classified as critical. This issue affects the function ntfs_non_resident_attr_insert_range of the component ntfs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: fix hole runlist memory leak in insert range error path ntfs_non_resident_attr_insert_range() allocates hole_rl before mapping the whole runlist. If ntfs_attr_map_whole_runlist() fails, the error path drops ni->runlist.lock and returns without freeing hole_rl. This leaks memory of sizeof(*hole_rl) * 2 bytes. Fix this memory leak by freeing hole_rl before returning from that error path, matching the later error paths in the same function.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-72184 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack may be initiated remotely. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026). The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1499 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

Applying the patch 7d7f72cb21a829682f6d8968af4fbe413789d1fd/06769b8f23b4b645b270c438649fff79768fb6fe is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

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Vendor

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License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.2

VulDB Base Score: 6.5
VulDB Temp Score: 6.2
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Patch
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Patch: 7d7f72cb21a829682f6d8968af4fbe413789d1fd/06769b8f23b4b645b270c438649fff79768fb6fe

Timelineinfo

08/09/2026 CVE reserved
08/15/2026 +6 days Advisory disclosed
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/15/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-72184 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-72184
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-390623

Entryinfo

Created: 08/15/2026 13:24
Changes: 08/15/2026 13:24 (57)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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