Quick answer
Direct answer
Risk scores
| CVSS metric | What it means |
|---|---|
| Attack vector (AV:L) | Local access needed |
| Attack complexity (AC:H) | High complexity |
| Privileges required (PR:N) | No privileges required |
| User interaction (UI:R) | A user must take an action |
| Scope (S:U) | Scope unchanged |
| Confidentiality (C:H) | High confidentiality impact |
| Integrity (I:H) | High integrity impact |
| Availability (A:H) | High availability impact |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
About Redhat Enterprise Linux
CVE-2026-71220 affects Redhat Enterprise Linux, a product from Redhat. Before acting, confirm where Redhat Enterprise Linux runs in your estate, who owns it and whether it is reachable from the internet, because exposure decides real risk more than the score alone.
What the flaw is
In plain terms: A stack out-of-bounds write vulnerability was found in gfs2-utils. In gfs2_edit, the di_height field from on-disk inode metadata is used as an array index without bounds checking, causing a stack buffer overflow that may lead to arbitrary code execution when processing crafted GFS2 filesystem images.
The weakness class is Out of Bounds Write. The program writes past the end of a buffer, a common path to code execution.
Based on its CVSS vector, the flaw needs local or adjacent access, needs no login, and relies on a user taking an action. Apply the vendor fix and confirm exposure on internet facing and business critical assets first.
Affected versions and timeline
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | Redhat Enterprise Linux |
| Affected versions | Enterprise Linux 7.0; Enterprise Linux 8.0; Enterprise Linux 9.0 |
| Published | Sep 3, 2026 |
| Last modified | Sep 22, 2026 |
| Added to CISA KEV | Not listed |
| Assigning CNA | secalert@redhat.com |
How to detect it
- Inventory every instance of Redhat Enterprise Linux and record the running version against the affected range above.
- Check external attack surface scans for internet facing instances of the component.
- Review logs on affected systems for unusual requests, errors or new processes around the vulnerable function.
- Confirm with an authenticated vulnerability scan once your scanner has a check for this CVE.
How to fix it
- Apply the fixed version of Redhat Enterprise Linux named in the vendor advisory.
- If patching must wait, restrict network access to the affected service and put it behind authentication or a web application firewall rule.
- Rescan after the change to prove the exposure is gone, then close the ticket.
CTEM action plan
| CTEM stage | What to do for this CVE |
|---|---|
| Scope | Add every business service that depends on Redhat Enterprise Linux to the current CTEM cycle. |
| Discover | Find all instances, including shadow and cloud deployments, and record versions and exposure. |
| Prioritize | Rank using EPSS and CVSS together with asset exposure and business impact. |
| Validate | Confirm the flaw is reachable and exploitable in your environment and that compensating controls work. |
| Mobilize | Assign the fix to the asset owner with a due date matched to the priority, then verify closure. |
CWE References
- CWE-787: Out of Bounds Write More CVEs with this weakness
Technical References
Frequently asked questions
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