Linux Kernel Erofs erofs_init_inode_xattrs memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel and classified as problematic. The impacted element is the function erofs_init_inode_xattrs of the component Erofs. This manipulation causes Local Privilege Escalation. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-64146. The attack can only be executed locally. There is no exploit available. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel (the affected version unknown) and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function erofs_init_inode_xattrs of the component Erofs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a local privilege escalation vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: erofs: fix metabuf leak in inode xattr initialization commit bb88e8da0025 ("erofs: use meta buffers for xattr operations") converted xattr operations to use on-stack erofs_buf instances. erofs_init_inode_xattrs() uses such a metabuf while reading the inline xattr header and shared xattr id array. Some error paths after erofs_read_metabuf() leave through out_unlock without dropping the metabuf, so the folio reference can leak. Consolidate the cleanup at out_unlock. erofs_put_metabuf() is a no-op if no folio has been acquired, and this keeps all paths after taking EROFS_I_BL_XATTR_BIT covered by a single cleanup site.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-64146 since 07/19/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. Attacking locally is a requirement. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Applying the patch bb88e8da0025 is able to eliminate this problem.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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