CVE-2026-74321: Linux kernel · btrfs: fix invalid pointer dereference in __btrfs_run_delayed_refs()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.5 High · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel soon.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 14:05 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.7% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 53% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +42
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 15 Aug 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 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther 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 to resolve the issue. The fix restores proper error handling and loop control in the Btrfs delayed refs processing code. Users should update to the fixed kernel versions as provided by their Linux distribution vendors.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Btrfs filesystem code caused an invalid pointer dereference in the __btrfs_run_delayed_refs() function due to improper handling of error pointers returned by btrfs_select_ref_head(). This could lead to a denial of service (system crash). The issue was introduced after a code refactoring and has been fixed by restoring proper error handling and loop control logic.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-74321 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/015dc4a1e0c2cba551d4620eba13d26d5081dc34 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b15d02be05e74321adb1e0ae0cb4ccfba7c6cb1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/486f8298b6188ff11ef1f4be7f1d5d2e4d1b1fae (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/65770111a2d47c2b15e20b2ba92bb12198f289d4 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9faa6b69ad73f03c7bde53e07d75a28822dc9a1a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a71143590ce9764dbcb47617647592ff8b4d48bc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba9fa2ff5981589bb49094d3358c339b37c47f53 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c372ca227e16bace86f1df1fa4ae6849e2fcfa28 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-74321 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-74321 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/486f8298b6188ff11ef1f4be7f1d5d2e4d1b1fae (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8876-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8878-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8877-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8888-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8889-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8887-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8886-1 (opens in a new tab)