---
title: "CVE-2026-97438: Linux kernel fs/ntfs3 - Out of Bounds Read"
description: "Linux kernel fs/ntfs3 contains a buffer overflow caused by improper validation of NTFS directory index entry key_size, letting attackers trigger out-of-bounds read during directory lookup, exploit requires crafted malformed NTFS directory entries."
url: https://panop.io/threat-heartbeat/CVE-2026-97438/
---

# CVE-2026-97438 Linux kernel fs/ntfs3 - Out of Bounds Read

Linux kernel fs/ntfs3 contains a buffer overflow caused by improper validation of NTFS directory index entry key\_size, letting attackers trigger out-of-bounds read during directory lookup, exploit requires crafted malformed NTFS directory entries.

CVSS base score 7.1 /10

High

CISA KEV

Not listed

Public exploit

None known

Authentication

Not required

EPSS

0.13% chance of exploitation in 30 days

[View the NVD record ↗](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97438)

## Details

Type

Out of Bounds Read

Impact

Information Disclosure, Denial Of Service

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

Published

24 September 2026

Updated

15 October 2026

## Vendor fix

Update to the latest Linux kernel version containing the fix for NTFS index entry validation.

Patching closes this CVE. It does not tell you which of your systems run the affected version, or what else is exposed alongside them.

## References

- [https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97438](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97438)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0257e3ea00e19129f3ad5c039d8b8fdff0796835](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0257e3ea00e19129f3ad5c039d8b8fdff0796835)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/98d6e5d9dc1d34dcffc61549617581a5fe1ef807](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/98d6e5d9dc1d34dcffc61549617581a5fe1ef807)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8f4fb6a7d58974ffc9aed597401528b181d76dc](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8f4fb6a7d58974ffc9aed597401528b181d76dc)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7feeb424bda7f6ffaf5090cdd01b300eaa74c02b](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7feeb424bda7f6ffaf5090cdd01b300eaa74c02b)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8d93bc4823baecab3c39b877e16ac5f8d4d41ba](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8d93bc4823baecab3c39b877e16ac5f8d4d41ba)
- [https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d564a885219a655077eefafeb72395a4580ebd69](https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d564a885219a655077eefafeb72395a4580ebd69)

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## What this record can't tell you

- Whether you run the affected software, and where
- Whether an attacker can actually reach and exploit it
- The misconfigurations that never get a CVE number
- What it would cost the business, ranked into what to fix first

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