CVE-2026-93268

ext4: skip extra isize expansion during mount to prevent deadlock

Published Sep 24, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

ext4: skip extra isize expansion during mount to prevent deadlock

ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize() is called from __ext4_mark_inode_dirty()
while holding an active jbd2 handle. During mount (!SB_ACTIVE), the
expand path may move xattrs to external blocks and release ea_inodes via
iput(). When !SB_ACTIVE, iput() calls write_inode_now() which acquires
s_writepages_rwsem, creating a circular lock dependency:

s_writepages_rwsem --> jbd2_handle --> xattr_sem --> s_writepages_rwsem

This can be triggered via:

ext4_process_orphan() -> ext4_truncate() -> ext4_mark_inode_dirty()
-> ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize()

or:

ext4_evict_inode() -> ext4_mark_inode_dirty()
-> ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize()

Skip expansion when !SB_ACTIVE. This is a minor loss of functionality
(extra isize won't grow for these inodes during mount), which e2fsck
can resolve later if needed.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4817-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4841-1 linux security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6528-1 linux security update
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8961-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9022-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9023-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9024-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9025-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9026-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9029-1 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9039-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9040-1 Linux kernel (Low Latency NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9066-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9091-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA Tegra) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-833
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

Low

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: skip extra isize expansion during mount to prevent deadlock ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize() is called from __ext4_mark_inode_dirty() while holding an active jbd2 handle. During mount (!SB_ACTIVE), the expand path may move xattrs to external blocks and release ea_inodes via iput(). When !SB_ACTIVE, iput() calls write_inode_now() which acquires s_writepages_rwsem, creating a circular lock dependency: s_writepages_rwsem --> jbd2_handle --> xattr_sem --> s_writepages_rwsem This can be triggered via: ext4_process_orphan() -> ext4_truncate() -> ext4_mark_inode_dirty() -> ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize() or: ext4_evict_inode() -> ext4_mark_inode_dirty() -> ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize() Skip expansion when !SB_ACTIVE. This is a minor loss of functionality (extra isize won't grow for these inodes during mount), which e2fsck can resolve later if needed.
Title ext4: skip extra isize expansion during mount to prevent deadlock
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
Oct 19, 2026, 9:08 AM
Reserved
Sep 17, 2026, 4:02 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 24, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:17 AM
Severity
Low
Public date
Sep 24, 2026, 12:00 AM