Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 ext4 ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize deadlock

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4.3	$0-$5k	0.32-

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5 and classified as problematic. This affects the function ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize of the component ext4. Executing a manipulation can lead to deadlock. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2026-93268. The attack may be launched remotely. There is no exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 7.2.5. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects the function ext4_try_to_expand_extra_isize of the component ext4. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a deadlock vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-833. The product contains multiple threads or executable segments that are waiting for each other to release a necessary lock, resulting in deadlock. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-93268 since 09/17/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. Additional levels of successful authentication are needed for exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. This vulnerability is assigned to T1499 by the MITRE ATT&CK project.

Upgrading to version 5.10.270, 5.15.221, 6.1.188, 6.6.157, 6.12.110, 6.18.52, 7.2.6 or 7.3-rc1 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 41897f1bcf4ace5f1f28d0be784b6f4f0e929641/9c3469377b1d8caba6bec6ef3c460810bbfb02cc/1dd4882dbdc8bfdf2182fa388883c143fac0902a/7ba09330d9ea6e996228316719eae812d7e04983/c5e6434cc55f30220b228be237bb666351f9f4dd/7ace189b9ea79cf78df9c32b940ce12735f9459a/2fb8ff81659a57c42bb7b49e8339a2be2a318ef8/7461c60b9c6a839b13ad4c3490681a0cf5aa0637 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

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Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.10.269
• 5.15.220
• 6.1.187
• 6.6.156
• 6.12.109
• 6.18.0
• 6.18.1
• 6.18.2
• 6.18.3
• 6.18.4
• 6.18.5
• 6.18.6
• 6.18.7
• 6.18.8
• 6.18.9
• 6.18.10
• 6.18.11
• 6.18.12
• 6.18.13
• 6.18.14
• 6.18.15
• 6.18.16
• 6.18.17
• 6.18.18
• 6.18.19
• 6.18.20
• 6.18.21
• 6.18.22
• 6.18.23
• 6.18.24
• 6.18.25
• 6.18.26
• 6.18.27
• 6.18.28
• 6.18.29
• 6.18.30
• 6.18.31
• 6.18.32
• 6.18.33
• 6.18.34
• 6.18.35
• 6.18.36
• 6.18.37
• 6.18.38
• 6.18.39
• 6.18.40
• 6.18.41
• 6.18.42
• 6.18.43
• 6.18.44
• 6.18.45
• 6.18.46
• 6.18.47
• 6.18.48
• 6.18.49
• 6.18.50
• 6.18.51
• 7.2.0
• 7.2.1
• 7.2.2
• 7.2.3
• 7.2.4
• 7.2.5

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.3

VulDB Base Score: 4.5
VulDB Temp Score: 4.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Deadlock
CWE: CWE-833 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.270/5.15.221/6.1.188/6.6.157/6.12.110/6.18.52/7.2.6/7.3-rc1
Patch: 41897f1bcf4ace5f1f28d0be784b6f4f0e929641/9c3469377b1d8caba6bec6ef3c460810bbfb02cc/1dd4882dbdc8bfdf2182fa388883c143fac0902a/7ba09330d9ea6e996228316719eae812d7e04983/c5e6434cc55f30220b228be237bb666351f9f4dd/7ace189b9ea79cf78df9c32b940ce12735f9459a/2fb8ff81659a57c42bb7b49e8339a2be2a318ef8/7461c60b9c6a839b13ad4c3490681a0cf5aa0637

Timelineinfo

09/17/2026 CVE reserved
09/24/2026 +7 days Advisory disclosed
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
09/24/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-93268 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-93268
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-409714

Entryinfo

Created: 09/24/2026 20:24
Changes: 09/24/2026 20:24 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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Discussion

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