Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mm/swap: fix race when skipping swapcache
When skipping swapcache for SWP_SYNCHRONOUS_IO, if two or more threads
swapin the same entry at the same time, they get different pages (A, B).
Before one thread (T0) finishes the swapin and installs page (A) to the
PTE, another thread (T1) could finish swapin of page (B), swap_free the
entry, then swap out the possibly modified page reusing the same entry.
It breaks the pte_same check in (T0) because PTE value is unchanged,
causing ABA problem. Thread (T0) will install a stalled page (A) into the
PTE and cause data corruption.
One possible callstack is like this:
CPU0 CPU1
---- ----
do_swap_page() do_swap_page() with same entry
<direct swapin path> <direct swapin path>
<alloc page A> <alloc page B>
swap_read_folio() <- read to page A swap_read_folio() <- read to page B
<slow on later locks or interrupt> <finished swapin first>
... set_pte_at()
swap_free() <- entry is free
<write to page B, now page A stalled>
<swap out page B to same swap entry>
pte_same() <- Check pass, PTE seems
unchanged, but page A
is stalled!
swap_free() <- page B content lost!
set_pte_at() <- staled page A installed!
And besides, for ZRAM, swap_free() allows the swap device to discard the
entry content, so even if page (B) is not modified, if swap_read_folio()
on CPU0 happens later than swap_free() on CPU1, it may also cause data
loss.
To fix this, reuse swapcache_prepare which will pin the swap entry using
the cache flag, and allow only one thread to swap it in, also prevent any
parallel code from putting the entry in the cache. Release the pin after
PT unlocked.
Racers just loop and wait since it's a rare and very short event. A
schedule_timeout_uninterruptible(1) call is added to avoid repeated page
faults wasting too much CPU, causing livelock or adding too much noise to
perf statistics. A similar livelock issue was described in commit
029c4628b2eb ("mm: swap: get rid of livelock in swapin readahead")
Reproducer:
This race issue can be triggered easily using a well constructed
reproducer and patched brd (with a delay in read path) [1]:
With latest 6.8 mainline, race caused data loss can be observed easily:
$ gcc -g -lpthread test-thread-swap-race.c && ./a.out
Polulating 32MB of memory region...
Keep swapping out...
Starting round 0...
Spawning 65536 workers...
32746 workers spawned, wait for done...
Round 0: Error on 0x5aa00, expected 32746, got 32743, 3 data loss!
Round 0: Error on 0x395200, expected 32746, got 32743, 3 data loss!
Round 0: Error on 0x3fd000, expected 32746, got 32737, 9 data loss!
Round 0 Failed, 15 data loss!
This reproducer spawns multiple threads sharing the same memory region
using a small swap device. Every two threads updates mapped pages one by
one in opposite direction trying to create a race, with one dedicated
thread keep swapping out the data out using madvise.
The reproducer created a reproduce rate of about once every 5 minutes, so
the race should be totally possible in production.
After this patch, I ran the reproducer for over a few hundred rounds and
no data loss observed.
Performance overhead is minimal, microbenchmark swapin 10G from 32G
zram:
Before: 10934698 us
After: 11157121 us
Cached: 13155355 us (Dropping SWP_SYNCHRONOUS_IO flag)
[kasong@tencent.com: v4]
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 4.15 | 6.1.80 |
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 | 6.7.7-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 6.7.7-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 6.1.82-1 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Nvidia-BlueField 22.04 LTS | linux-bluefield | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux +49 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +28 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp +14 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
Show 12 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | 6.8.0-2002.2 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro Realtime 22.04 LTS | linux-realtime +1 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS 20.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS 18.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 22.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 20.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 18.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-preview 22.04 LTS | linux-fips +3 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux +21 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 18.04 LTS | linux +12 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 16.04 LTS | linux-gcp +4 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | linux-azure | No fix yet | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 9 | bpftool | 7.4.0-503.11.1.el9_5 | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| RHEL 9 | rv +67 | 5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5 | RHSA-2024:9315 |
| RHEL 8 | kernel-rt +12 | 4.18.0-553.8.1.rt7.349.el8_10 | RHSA-2024:4352 |
| RHEL 8 | perf +26 | 4.18.0-553.8.1.el8_10 | RHSA-2024:4211 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 9.4 EUS | bpftool | 7.3.0-427.57.1.el9_4 | RHSA-2025:2270 |
| RHEL 9.4 EUS | rv +64 | 5.14.0-427.57.1.el9_4 | RHSA-2025:2270 |
AlmaLinux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux 8 | kernel-rt +11 | 4.18.0-553.8.1.rt7.349.el8_10 | ALSA-2024:4352 |
| AlmaLinux 8 | perf +24 | 4.18.0-553.8.1.el8_10 | ALSA-2024:4211 |
Rocky Linux
Errata ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Linux 8 | kernel | 4.18.0-553.8.1.el8_10 | RLSA-2024:4211 |
| Rocky Linux 8 | kernel-rt | 4.18.0-553.8.1.rt7.349.el8_10 | RLSA-2024:4352 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP6 | kernel-64kb +4 | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| SLES 15 SP6 | kernel-azure +2 | 6.4.0-150600.8.14.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3551-1 |
| SLES 15 SP6 | kernel-coco +3 | 6.4.0-15061.6.coco15sp6.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3553-1 |
| SLES 15 SP6 | kernel-default-base | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.1.150600.12.10.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| SLES 15 SP6 | kernel-docs +1 | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-64kb +6 | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-azure +2 | 5.14.21-150500.33.69.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3587-1 |
| SLES 15 SP5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1.150500.6.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
Show 6 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLE Micro 6.0 | kernel-default-base | 6.4.0-17.1.1.51 | SUSE-SU-2025:20073-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.0 | kernel-livepatch-MICRO-6-0_Update_3 +1 | 1-1.2 | SUSE-SU-2025:20077-1, SUSE-SU-2025:20073-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.0 | kernel-rt +1 | 6.4.0-11.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:20077-1 |
| SLE Micro 6.0 | kernel-source +2 | 6.4.0-20.1 | SUSE-SU-2025:20073-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1.150500.6.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| SLE Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt +1 | 5.14.21-150500.13.73.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3592-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP6 | kernel-default | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP6 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP6-RT_Update_4 | 1-150600.1.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3564-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP6 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP6_Update_5 | 1-150600.13.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP5 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP5_Update_20 +1 | 1-150500.11.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3592-1, SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP6 | kernel-rt +3 | 6.4.0-150600.10.14.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3564-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP5 | kernel-rt +3 | 5.14.21-150500.13.73.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3592-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | dtb-aarch64 +8 | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | kernel-azure +2 | 6.4.0-150600.8.14.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3551-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | kernel-default-base | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.1.150600.12.10.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | kernel-docs +1 | 6.4.0-150600.23.25.2 | SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.6 | kernel-rt +3 | 6.4.0-150600.10.14.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3564-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-azure +2 | 5.14.21-150500.33.69.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3587-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.5 | kernel-rt +3 | 5.14.21-150500.13.73.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3592-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.5 | kernel-default | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.5 | kernel-default-base | 5.14.21-150500.55.83.1.150500.6.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 |
| openSUSE Leap Micro 5.5 | kernel-rt | 5.14.21-150500.13.73.1 | SUSE-SU-2024:3592-1 |
Amazon Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Linux 2023 | kernel-livepatch-6.1.82-99.168 | 1.0-0.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2024-784 |
| Amazon Linux 2023 | perf +14 | 6.1.82-99.168.amzn2023 | ALAS2023-2024-784 |
Azure Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux 2 (CBL-Mariner) | kernel | No fix yet | — |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 9 | bpftool | 7.4.0-503.11.1.el9_5 | ELSA-2024-9315 |
| Oracle Linux 9 | rv +28 | 5.14.0-503.11.1.el9_5 | ELSA-2024-9315 |
| Oracle Linux 8 | perf +19 | 4.18.0-553.8.1.el8_10 | ELSA-2024-4211 |
Advisories 23
- RHSA-2025:2270 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 13, 2026
- RHSA-2024:9315 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Nov 13, 2026
- ALSA-2024:4211 Important: kernel security and bug fix update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Oct 29, 2026
- ALSA-2024:4352 Important: kernel-rt security and bug fix update AlmaLinux Security Advisories · Oct 29, 2026
- WID-SEC-2024-0773 Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Oct 25, 2026
- RHSA-2024:4352 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 15, 2026
- RHSA-2024:4211 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Oct 15, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:20073-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2025:20077-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Mar 23, 2026
- ALAS2023-2024-784 Important: kernel security update (Amazon Linux 2023) Amazon Linux Security Center (ALAS) · Feb 11, 2026
- RLSA-2024:4352 Important: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 4, 2026
- RLSA-2024:4211 Important: kernel security and bug fix update Rocky Linux Security Advisories · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3551-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3561-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3592-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3564-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3587-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3553-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2024:3569-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- WID-SEC-2025-1293 IBM DataPower Gateway: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Dec 3, 2025
- WID-SEC-2024-1905 IBM QRadar SIEM: Mehrere Schwachstellen BSI CERT-Bund (WID) · Jun 3, 2025
- ELSA-2024-9315 Moderate: kernel security update (Oracle Linux 9) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 14, 2024
- ELSA-2024-4211 Important: kernel security and bug fix update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Jul 2, 2024