Linux Kernel up to 6.6.139/6.12.85/6.18.26/7.0.3 ext4 check_xattrs out-of-bounds

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.2$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.139/6.12.85/6.18.26/7.0.3. Impacted is the function check_xattrs of the component ext4. This manipulation causes out-of-bounds. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-46094. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.139/6.12.85/6.18.26/7.0.3 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function check_xattrs of the component ext4. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a out-of-bounds vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-125. The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix bounds check in check_xattrs() to prevent out-of-bounds access The bounds check for the next xattr entry in check_xattrs() uses (void *)next >= end, which allows next to point within sizeof(u32) bytes of end. On the next loop iteration, IS_LAST_ENTRY() reads 4 bytes via *(__u32 *)(entry), which can overrun the valid xattr region. For example, if next lands at end - 1, the check passes since next < end, but IS_LAST_ENTRY() reads 4 bytes starting at end - 1, accessing 3 bytes beyond the valid region. Fix this by changing the check to (void *)next + sizeof(u32) > end, ensuring there is always enough space for the IS_LAST_ENTRY() read on the subsequent iteration.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-46094 since 05/13/2026. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 06/26/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 321697 (SUSE SLES16 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2026:22099-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.6.140, 6.12.86, 6.18.27, 7.0.4 or 7.1-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ab6da97bc310db35d4e4ef5354bc3ff626b0698c/5a5314d2387633a272a04d1bd8727f99058e4e68/537e065977022aa22f2c2503e8accaf16622e0fd/520986722dbf869c122252123fc161c7302eab7d/eceafc31ea7b42c984ece10d79d505c0bb6615d5 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (321697). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Productinfo

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.2

VulDB Base Score: 3.5
VulDB Temp Score: 3.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.1
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Out-of-bounds
CWE: CWE-125 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 321697
Nessus Name: SUSE SLES16 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2026:22099-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.140/6.12.86/6.18.27/7.0.4/7.1-rc1
Patch: ab6da97bc310db35d4e4ef5354bc3ff626b0698c/5a5314d2387633a272a04d1bd8727f99058e4e68/537e065977022aa22f2c2503e8accaf16622e0fd/520986722dbf869c122252123fc161c7302eab7d/eceafc31ea7b42c984ece10d79d505c0bb6615d5

Timelineinfo

05/13/2026 CVE reserved
05/27/2026 +14 days Advisory disclosed
05/27/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/26/2026 +30 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-46094 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-46094
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-366349

Entryinfo

Created: 05/27/2026 18:39
Updated: 06/26/2026 08:36
Changes: 05/27/2026 18:39 (59), 06/21/2026 07:48 (2), 06/26/2026 08:36 (11)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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