Linux Kernel up to 7.2.6/7.3-rc1 ntfs ntfs_sync_fs exceptional condition

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.6/7.3-rc1. It has been declared as problematic. This impacts the function ntfs_sync_fs of the component ntfs. The manipulation results in exceptional condition. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-98138. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.6/7.3-rc1. Affected is the function ntfs_sync_fs of the component ntfs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a exceptional condition vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-755. The product does not handle or incorrectly handles an exceptional condition. This is going to have an impact on integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ntfs: do not mark the volume clean in sync_fs when errors were recorded ntfs_put_super() and the remount-read-only path both clear the dirty bit only when NVolErrors(vol) is false. ntfs_sync_fs() clears it unconditionally, so any sync() on a volume that recorded an error marks that volume clean. A volume without this set is then seen as not needing recovery and it does not run one, so whatever went wrong is never repaired. This change skips resetting the dirty bit when there are volume errors. Reproduced on a volume whose $MFTMirr does not match $MFT, which sets the error flag while leaving the mount read-write: after a write and a sync, the on-disk volume flags read 0x0000 with this driver and 0x0001 with the guard in place.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-98138 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. 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 09/25/2026).

Upgrading to version 7.2.7 or 7.3-rc2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ca1f9933eff777a604eb664d0f9ae433b8664cbf/0e4c839905418d55bafe571a92533a1d1ac7b0a8 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5
• 7.2.6
• 7.3-rc1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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