CVE-2025-68261: Linux kernel · ext4: add i_data_sem protection in ext4_destroy_inline_data_nolock()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.5% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 45% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1103.110~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1110.119~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1103.112~20.04.1 +70
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 16 Dec 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-19.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1010.10?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@6.17.0-1017.17?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp@6.17.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 25.10linux-oraclepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-oracle@6.17.0-1009.9?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and should be applied by upgrading to fixed linux-aws kernel versions at or beyond 5.15.0-1097.100~20.04.1 and related releases. Applying the official vendor updates from Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8094-1 will remediate this issue.
Description
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ext4 filesystem was resolved by adding i_data_sem protection in the ext4_destroy_inline_data_nolock() function. This race occurs between inline data destruction and block mapping, potentially triggering a kernel BUG and causing filesystem unmount failures. The issue affects certain linux-aws kernel versions prior to specific 5.15.x releases. A fix is available in updated kernel versions.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2025-68261 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2025-68261 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/0cd8feea8777f8d9b9a862b89c688b049a5c8475 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0cd8feea8777f8d9b9a862b89c688b049a5c8475 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/22a76b0861ae61a299c8e126c1aca8c4fda820fd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5cad18e527ba8a9ca5463cc170073eeb5a4826f4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba8aeff294ac7ff6dfe293663d815c54c5ee218c (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8094-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8094-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8116-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8096-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8094-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8094-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8094-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8141-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8152-1 (opens in a new tab)