Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52 ntfs3 namei.c ntfs_dir_emit/hdr_find_e name_len/size out-of-bounds

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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4.1$0-$5k0.11+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52. It has been declared as problematic. The impacted element is the function ntfs_dir_emit/hdr_find_e of the file namei.c of the component ntfs3. The manipulation of the argument name_len/size results in out-of-bounds. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-97437. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.110/6.18.52. Affected is the function ntfs_dir_emit/hdr_find_e of the file namei.c of the component ntfs3. The manipulation of the argument name_len/size with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs3: fix out-of-bounds read in ntfs_dir_emit() and hdr_find_e() The bounds check in ntfs_dir_emit() compares fname->name_len (a character count) against e->size (a byte count) without accounting for the 2-byte-per-character UTF-16LE encoding or the ATTR_FILE_NAME header size: if (fname->name_len + sizeof(struct NTFS_DE) > le16_to_cpu(e->size)) This computes: name_len + 16 > e_size The correct check must account for the ATTR_FILE_NAME header (66 bytes before the name) and the UTF-16LE character size (2 bytes each): sizeof(NTFS_DE) + offsetof(ATTR_FILE_NAME, name) + name_len * sizeof(short) > e_size Which computes: 16 + 66 + name_len * 2 > e_size The correct calculation already exists as fname_full_size() in ntfs.h and is used in cmp_fnames(), namei.c, and fslog.c, but was not used in the readdir path. A crafted NTFS image with an index entry containing a small e->size but large fname->name_len bypasses the current check, causing ntfs_utf16_to_nls() to read past the entry boundary. Additionally, add a key_size validation in hdr_find_e() to ensure the declared key_size does not exceed the available entry data, preventing comparison functions from reading past entry boundaries on the lookup path.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-97437 since 09/24/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are necessary for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 09/24/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.12.111 or 6.18.53 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ed6da1abeec50db9060d714f03743fe0b63e4fe4/6a8149a20e46086c756c2a9202e377c0b649a0c3/aa1bdbb39f49c5bc9779316891c40005517842a5 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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Version

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.1

VulDB Base Score: 4.3
VulDB Temp Score: 4.1
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: Out-of-bounds
CWE: CWE-125 / CWE-119
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: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.111/6.18.53
Patch: ed6da1abeec50db9060d714f03743fe0b63e4fe4/6a8149a20e46086c756c2a9202e377c0b649a0c3/aa1bdbb39f49c5bc9779316891c40005517842a5

Timelineinfo

09/24/2026 Advisory disclosed
09/24/2026 +0 days CVE reserved
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-97437 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-97437
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-409548

Entryinfo

Created: 09/24/2026 19:12
Changes: 09/24/2026 19:12 (61)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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