Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
btrfs: fix race between quota rescan and disable leading to NULL pointer deref
If we have one task trying to start the quota rescan worker while another
one is trying to disable quotas, we can end up hitting a race that results
in the quota rescan worker doing a NULL pointer dereference. The steps for
this are the following:
1) Quotas are enabled;
2) Task A calls the quota rescan ioctl and enters btrfs_qgroup_rescan().
It calls qgroup_rescan_init() which returns 0 (success) and then joins a
transaction and commits it;
3) Task B calls the quota disable ioctl and enters btrfs_quota_disable().
It clears the bit BTRFS_FS_QUOTA_ENABLED from fs_info->flags and calls
btrfs_qgroup_wait_for_completion(), which returns immediately since the
rescan worker is not yet running.
Then it starts a transaction and locks fs_info->qgroup_ioctl_lock;
4) Task A queues the rescan worker, by calling btrfs_queue_work();
5) The rescan worker starts, and calls rescan_should_stop() at the start
of its while loop, which results in 0 iterations of the loop, since
the flag BTRFS_FS_QUOTA_ENABLED was cleared from fs_info->flags by
task B at step 3);
6) Task B sets fs_info->quota_root to NULL;
7) The rescan worker tries to start a transaction and uses
fs_info->quota_root as the root argument for btrfs_start_transaction().
This results in a NULL pointer dereference down the call chain of
btrfs_start_transaction(). The stack trace is something like the one
reported in Link tag below:
general protection fault, probably for non-canonical address 0xdffffc0000000041: 0000 [#1] PREEMPT SMP KASAN
KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000208-0x000000000000020f]
CPU: 1 PID: 34 Comm: kworker/u4:2 Not tainted 6.1.0-syzkaller-13872-gb6bb9676f216 #0
Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 10/26/2022
Workqueue: btrfs-qgroup-rescan btrfs_work_helper
RIP: 0010:start_transaction+0x48/0x10f0 fs/btrfs/transaction.c:564
Code: 48 89 fb 48 (...)
RSP: 0018:ffffc90000ab7ab0 EFLAGS: 00010206
RAX: 0000000000000041 RBX: 0000000000000208 RCX: ffff88801779ba80
RDX: 0000000000000000 RSI: 0000000000000001 RDI: 0000000000000000
RBP: dffffc0000000000 R08: 0000000000000001 R09: fffff52000156f5d
R10: fffff52000156f5d R11: 1ffff92000156f5c R12: 0000000000000000
R13: 0000000000000001 R14: 0000000000000001 R15: 0000000000000003
FS: 0000000000000000(0000) GS:ffff8880b9900000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000
CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033
CR2: 00007f2bea75b718 CR3: 000000001d0cc000 CR4: 00000000003506e0
DR0: 0000000000000000 DR1: 0000000000000000 DR2: 0000000000000000
DR3: 0000000000000000 DR6: 00000000fffe0ff0 DR7: 0000000000000400
Call Trace:
<TASK>
btrfs_qgroup_rescan_worker+0x3bb/0x6a0 fs/btrfs/qgroup.c:3402
btrfs_work_helper+0x312/0x850 fs/btrfs/async-thread.c:280
process_one_work+0x877/0xdb0 kernel/workqueue.c:2289
worker_thread+0xb14/0x1330 kernel/workqueue.c:2436
kthread+0x266/0x300 kernel/kthread.c:376
ret_from_fork+0x1f/0x30 arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:308
</TASK>
Modules linked in:
So fix this by having the rescan worker function not attempt to start a
transaction if it didn't do any rescan work.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 5.4.178 – < 5.4.230, 5.10.99 – < 5.10.165, 5.15.22 – < 5.15.90, 5.16.8 – < 5.17, 5.17 | 5.4.230 |
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 6.1.8-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 6.1.8-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 6.1.8-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Nvidia-BlueField 22.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.15.0-1015.17 | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux +1 | 5.15.0-70.77 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.15.0-1034.38 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.15.0-1036.43 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde | 5.15.0-1036.43.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.15.0-1032.40 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gke +1 | 5.15.0-1031.36 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 5.15.0-1018.23 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.15.0-1028.31 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg | 5.15.0-1028.33 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-nvidia | 5.15.0-1023.23 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.15.0-1033.39 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.15.0-1027.29 | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +30 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux | 5.4.0-147.164 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-aws | 5.4.0-1100.108 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.15 | 5.15.0-1034.38~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure | 5.4.0-1106.112 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.15 | 5.15.0-1036.43~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-5.15 | 5.15.0-1036.43~20.04.1.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | 5.4.0-1062.68 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 5.4.0-1103.112 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.15 | 5.15.0-1032.40~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +26 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gkeop | 5.4.0-1067.71 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gkeop-5.15 | 5.15.0-1018.23~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.15 +1 | 5.15.0-70.77~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-ibm | 5.4.0-1047.52 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-intel-iotg-5.15 | 5.15.0-1030.35~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-iot | 5.4.0-1017.18 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 5.4.0-1089.95 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 5.4.0-1099.108 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-oracle-5.15 | 5.15.0-1033.39~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-raspi | 5.4.0-1083.94 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-riscv-5.15 | 5.15.0-1031.35~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-xilinx-zynqmp | 5.4.0-1024.28 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-aws-5.4 | 5.4.0-1100.108~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-azure-5.4 | 5.4.0-1106.112~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +13 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp-5.4 | 5.4.0-1103.112~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-hwe-5.4 | 5.4.0-147.164~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-ibm-5.4 | 5.4.0-1047.52~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-oracle-5.4 | 5.4.0-1099.108~18.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-raspi-5.4 | 5.4.0-1083.94~18.04.1 | — |
Show 3 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-intel-iot-realtime | 5.15.0-1024.29 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime | 5.15.0-1036.39 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 5.4.0-1100.108+fips1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 5.4.0-1106.112+fips1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-fips | 5.4.0-1075.84 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-gcp-fips | 5.4.0-1103.112+fips1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +4 | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-azure +2 | 5.14.21-150500.33.66.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3190-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2.150500.6.35.6 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-syms +1 | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +4 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLES 15 SP4 | kernel-docs +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
Show 10 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-docs +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLES for SAP 15 SP4 | kernel-source +2 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2.150500.6.35.6 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150500.13.67.3 | SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.4 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.91.3 | SUSE-SU-2024:3227-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.3 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150400.15.91.3 | SUSE-SU-2024:3227-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP5_Update_19 +1 | 1-150500.11.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1, SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP4 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP4_Update_31 | 1-150400.9.3.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-64kb +3 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SLE HPC 15 SP4 | kernel-docs +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP5 | kernel-rt +2 | 5.14.21-150500.13.67.3 | SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP5 | kernel-syms-rt | 5.14.21-150500.13.67.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-source +2 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SUSE Manager Server 4.3 | kernel-syms | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2.150400.24.64.5 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-source +1 | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
| SUSE Manager Proxy 4.3 | kernel-syms | 5.14.21-150400.24.133.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | dtb-aarch64 +3 | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-azure +2 | 5.14.21-150500.33.66.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3190-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2.150500.6.35.6 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-rt +2 | 5.14.21-150500.13.67.3 | SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-syms-rt | 5.14.21-150500.13.67.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.80.2.150500.6.35.6 | SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt | 5.14.21-150500.13.67.3 | SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 |
Advisories 6
- WID-SEC-2024-1888 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Sep 17, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3227-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3408-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3483-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3209-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3190-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/89ac597e3e807b91e2ebd6a7c36fec7b97290233
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3bd43374857103ba3cac751d6d4afa8d83b5d92a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64287cd456a22373053998c1fccf14b651e9cbbd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1004fc90f0d79a4b7d9e3d432729914f472f9ad1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b7adbf9ada3513d2092362c8eac5cddc5b651f5c