CVE-2026-97546: Linux kernel · xfs: don't spin forever on zero-length dirents when salvaging them
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in a455c83ce5dc1a2da33b1b84253d298372a8dfbd : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated Medium by Threat Radar's AI analysis · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 9% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in a455c83ce5dc1a2da33b1b84253d298372a8dfbd, 08754ebfa5c28e8d57316b1bd7a5a921a5e2e762, 5442f0c56445618544a801fb4dae35aed87a1aaa +1
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Sep 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 Linux kernel to a455c83ce5dc1a2da33b1b84253d298372a8dfbd, 08754ebfa5c28e8d57316b1bd7a5a921a5e2e762, 5442f0c56445618544a801fb4dae35aed87a1aaa or 9f84792b40d0c96833341602144574bf0bd14a6a.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
A fix is available in the Linux kernel source code as indicated by the fixed commit hashes. Users and administrators should update to a kernel version that includes these fixes to prevent the infinite spinning issue during XFS directory salvage operations.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's XFS filesystem code could cause the system to spin indefinitely when processing zero-length directory entries during directory salvage operations. This issue has been fixed in specific commits to prevent infinite spinning on zero-length dirents.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/5442f0c56445618544a801fb4dae35aed87a1aaa (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/08754ebfa5c28e8d57316b1bd7a5a921a5e2e762 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a455c83ce5dc1a2da33b1b84253d298372a8dfbd (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f84792b40d0c96833341602144574bf0bd14a6a (opens in a new tab)