CVE-2026-97902: Linux kernel · fs: don't return -EINVAL for successful nested thaw
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 10% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
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
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
Until a fix is available, avoid nested freezing operations involving FIFREEZE and bdev_freeze on the same device, especially when using device-mapper or LVM snapshots. Monitor vendor channels for updates and apply official kernel updates addressing this issue once released.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's filesystem freezing mechanism causes incorrect error reporting during nested thaw operations. This leads to a leaked freeze count on block devices when multiple freeze holders are involved, preventing the device from being mounted again until reboot or device destruction. The issue affects certain Linux kernel versions and disrupts block device management after freeze and thaw sequences involving device-mapper or LVM snapshots.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-97902 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97902 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe967191e5851ea79818c5fe4e781c3882139218 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/76e478499913dc1f368aebe85b28b7d1265985ff (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/111339816138f042a59778322f941edc26903484 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff2a694f6613d54ebd77ba72583d4d94446f55bd (opens in a new tab)