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In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs: fix user path of nested backing files backing_file_open() derives the path… (CVE-2026-89768)

0
Medium
Published: 09/11/2026 (09/11/2026, 21:31:39 UTC)
Source: GCVE Database

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs: fix user path of nested backing files backing_file_open() derives the path to be stored in the new backing file from user_file->f_path. This is incorrect when user_file itself is a backing file, which is the case for nested stacking filesystems, e.g. overlayfs mounts where the lowerdir of one overlayfs is the merged directory of another. Since commit def3ae83da02 ("fs: store real path instead of fake path in backing file f_path") the f_path of a backing file holds the real path of the intermediate layer, not the path that the user opened. Commit 924577e4f6ca ("ovl: Fix nested backing file paths") fixed this for such configurations by passing file_user_path() from ovl_open_realfile(). However, commit 6af36aeb147a ("lsm: add backing_file LSM hooks") changed the first argument of backing_file_open() from the user path back to the user file and derived the path from user_file->f_path again, silently re-introducing the problem. As a result, files mapped through a nested overlayfs show the wrong path in /proc/<pid>/maps and in perf/ftrace mmap records. For example, with two nested overlayfs mounts: mkdir -p /ovl/{lower,upper,work,merged} /ovl/nested echo hello > /ovl/lower/foo mount -t overlay overlay \ -o lowerdir=/ovl/lower,upperdir=/ovl/upper,workdir=/ovl/work \ /ovl/merged # at least two lowerdirs are needed when upperdir is nonexistent mount -t overlay overlay \ -o lowerdir=/ovl/merged:/ovl/lower /ovl/nested mapping /ovl/nested/foo shows a disconnected path instead of the user path: # readlink /proc/self/fd/3 /ovl/nested/foo # grep foo /proc/self/maps 7f6e2c100000-7f6e2c101000 r--s 00000000 00:24 15813027 /foo The bogus path is derived from the f_path of the intermediate backing file, whose mount is a private clone that d_path() cannot resolve. Fix this by using file_user_path(), which returns the outermost user-visible path for backing files and falls back to &user_file->f_path for regular files. This restores the behavior of commit 924577e4f6ca ("ovl: Fix nested backing file paths") for overlayfs and also fixes the same problem for the other backing_file_open() callers, fuse passthrough and erofs ishare, when their user file is itself a backing file. backing_tmpfile_open() has the same pattern but is not affected: it is only called by ovl_create_tmpfile() for the upper layer, and another overlayfs is rejected as upperdir by the DCACHE_OP_REAL check in ovl_mount_dir_check(), so its user_file can never be a backing file.

AI-Powered Analysis

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AILast updated: 09/12/2026, 00:46:10 UTC

Technical Analysis

The vulnerability in the Linux kernel's backing_file_open() function arises because it derives the stored path from user_file->f_path, which is incorrect when user_file is itself a backing file, such as in nested stacking filesystems like overlayfs. This causes mapped files to show incorrect paths in process maps and performance tracing records. Previous fixes were reverted by a later commit that changed the function argument, reintroducing the problem. The issue was resolved by using file_user_path() to obtain the correct user-visible path, restoring proper behavior for overlayfs and other backing_file_open() callers like fuse passthrough and erofs ishare.

Potential Impact

Files mapped through nested overlayfs mounts or similar nested backing file configurations may display incorrect or disconnected paths in /proc/<pid>/maps and performance tracing tools. This can hinder accurate process and file path visibility for monitoring and debugging but does not indicate direct code execution or privilege escalation. No known exploits in the wild have been reported.

Mitigation Recommendations

A fix has been implemented in the Linux kernel to use file_user_path() in backing_file_open(), restoring correct path reporting for nested backing files. Users should apply the official kernel update containing this fix once available. Patch status is not explicitly stated in the provided data; check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance.

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Technical Details

Gcve Source
db.gcve.eu
Osv Id
GHSA-xv39-4768-vprw
Osv Schema Version
1.4.0
Aliases
["CVE-2026-89768"]

Threat ID: 6aa49ff555bf5e2cf5a8659c

Added to database: 09/12/2026, 00:42:29 UTC

Last enriched: 09/12/2026, 00:46:10 UTC

Last updated: 09/12/2026, 00:47:06 UTC

Views: 1

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