CVE-2026-53129

fs/mbcache: cancel shrink work before destroying the cache

Published Jun 24, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

fs/mbcache: cancel shrink work before destroying the cache

mb_cache_destroy() calls shrinker_free() and then frees all cache
entries and the cache itself, but it does not cancel the pending
c_shrink_work work item first.

If mb_cache_entry_create() schedules c_shrink_work via schedule_work()
and the work item is still pending or running when mb_cache_destroy()
runs, mb_cache_shrink_worker() will access the cache after its memory
has been freed, causing a use-after-free.

This is only reachable by a privileged user (root or CAP_SYS_ADMIN)
who can trigger the last put of a mounted ext2/ext4/ocfs2 filesystem.

Cancel the work item with cancel_work_sync() before calling
shrinker_free(), ensuring the worker has finished and will not be
rescheduled before the cache is torn down.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8566-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8568-1 Linux kernel (OEM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8569-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8593-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8603-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8618-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8663-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8664-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA BaseOS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-1 Linux kernel (GCP) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8781-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA Tegra) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-2 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8728-3 Linux kernel (Oracle) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs/mbcache: cancel shrink work before destroying the cache mb_cache_destroy() calls shrinker_free() and then frees all cache entries and the cache itself, but it does not cancel the pending c_shrink_work work item first. If mb_cache_entry_create() schedules c_shrink_work via schedule_work() and the work item is still pending or running when mb_cache_destroy() runs, mb_cache_shrink_worker() will access the cache after its memory has been freed, causing a use-after-free. This is only reachable by a privileged user (root or CAP_SYS_ADMIN) who can trigger the last put of a mounted ext2/ext4/ocfs2 filesystem. Cancel the work item with cancel_work_sync() before calling shrinker_free(), ensuring the worker has finished and will not be rescheduled before the cache is torn down.
Title fs/mbcache: cancel shrink work before destroying the cache
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Nov 6, 2026, 4:24 PM
Reserved
Jun 9, 2026, 7:44 AM
Status
Modified
Published
Jun 24, 2026, 5:17 PM
Modified
Nov 6, 2026, 5:18 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Jun 24, 2026, 12:00 AM