CVE-2026-43358: Linux kernel · btrfs: add missing RCU unlock in error path in try_release_subpage_extent_buffer()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 1% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 8 May 2026
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
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?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 fix is available that corrects the missing RCU unlock in the error path of try_release_subpage_extent_buffer(). Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this patch to mitigate the issue.
Description
A medium severity vulnerability (CVE-2026-43358) in the Linux kernel's btrfs subsystem was resolved by adding a missing RCU unlock in the error path of the try_release_subpage_extent_buffer() function. The issue involved improper use of rcu_read_lock() and rcu_read_unlock() calls detected by the Clang thread-safety analyzer, potentially leading to kernel instability or denial of service.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-43358 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-43358 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/b2840e33127ce0eea880504b7f133e780f567a9b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/35b0c8768e848e1b7e32052db36b5fa59b6a33a1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e1ab71f74a1e61f1254dff128a764fdebaec0b8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b2840e33127ce0eea880504b7f133e780f567a9b (opens in a new tab)