CVE-2026-97949

configfs: unhash the dentry before dropping the item in rmdir

Published Sep 25, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.0 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

configfs: unhash the dentry before dropping the item in rmdir

configfs_get_config_item() treats a hashed dentry as proof that
sd->s_element is a live config_item. configfs_rmdir() breaks that:
simple_rmdir() leaves the dentry hashed, the last reference to the item is
dropped right after, and the dentry is only unhashed by d_delete() once
->rmdir() has returned. configfs_symlink() resolves its target holding no
lock on it, so get_target() can land in that window:

BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in config_item_get+0x26/0x90
get_target fs/configfs/symlink.c:128 [inline]
configfs_symlink+0x4ab/0x1030 fs/configfs/symlink.c:185

Unhash in configfs_remove_dir(), while the item is still guaranteed to be
there. A reference obtained just before that stays harmless, as
create_link() rechecks CONFIGFS_USET_DROPPING, already set by
configfs_detach_prep(). Both configfs_unregister_subsystem() paths
d_drop() after detaching, so this only makes rmdir match them.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Debian DLA Debian DLA DLA-4850-1 linux-6.12 security update
Debian DSA Debian DSA DSA-6568-1 linux security update
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-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-416
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-825
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.0, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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: configfs: unhash the dentry before dropping the item in rmdir configfs_get_config_item() treats a hashed dentry as proof that sd->s_element is a live config_item. configfs_rmdir() breaks that: simple_rmdir() leaves the dentry hashed, the last reference to the item is dropped right after, and the dentry is only unhashed by d_delete() once ->rmdir() has returned. configfs_symlink() resolves its target holding no lock on it, so get_target() can land in that window: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in config_item_get+0x26/0x90 get_target fs/configfs/symlink.c:128 [inline] configfs_symlink+0x4ab/0x1030 fs/configfs/symlink.c:185 Unhash in configfs_remove_dir(), while the item is still guaranteed to be there. A reference obtained just before that stays harmless, as create_link() rechecks CONFIGFS_USET_DROPPING, already set by configfs_detach_prep(). Both configfs_unregister_subsystem() paths d_drop() after detaching, so this only makes rmdir match them.
Title configfs: unhash the dentry before dropping the item in rmdir
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 21, 2026, 12:53 PM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:18 AM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 25, 2026, 11:17 AM
Modified
Oct 21, 2026, 1:21 PM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Sep 25, 2026, 12:00 AM