CVE-2026-45960: Linux kernel · hfsplus: return error when node already exists in hfs_bnode_create
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 2% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1060.63~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1063.69~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1060.61~22.04.1 +24
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 27 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
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde@7.0.0-1008.8?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux@6.17.0-40.40?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws@6.17.0-1019.19?arch=source&distro=questingOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 25.10linux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure@6.17.0-1020.20?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@6.17.0-1020.22?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 to affected Linux kernel versions. The fix changes hfs_bnode_create() to return an error pointer instead of an existing node when a node is already hashed, preventing the reference count inconsistency and kernel panic. Users should update their Linux kernel to the fixed versions as provided by their distribution vendor.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HFS+ filesystem driver (hfsplus) was fixed where the function hfs_bnode_create() incorrectly returned an existing node without incrementing its reference count if the node was already hashed. This caused a reference count inconsistency leading to a kernel panic when the node was later freed. The issue can occur due to filesystem corruption or bitmap allocation errors. The fix changes the function to return an error pointer instead of the existing node to properly signal the error condition.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-45960 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-45960 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/d8a73cc46c8462a969a7516131feb3096f4c49d3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8497-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8498-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8499-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-4 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8492-5 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8576-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8597-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8606-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8607-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8609-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8575-3 (opens in a new tab)