In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gfs2: Fix use-after-free in iomap inline data write path The inline data buffer… (CVE-2026-45984)
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gfs2: Fix use-after-free in iomap inline data write path The inline data buffer head (dibh) is being released prematurely in gfs2_iomap_begin() via release_metapath() while iomap->inline_data still points to dibh->b_data. This causes a use-after-free when iomap_write_end_inline() later attempts to write to the inline data area. The bug sequence: 1. gfs2_iomap_begin() calls gfs2_meta_inode_buffer() to read inode metadata into dibh 2. Sets iomap->inline_data = dibh->b_data + sizeof(struct gfs2_dinode) 3. Calls release_metapath() which calls brelse(dibh), dropping refcount to 0 4. kswapd reclaims the page (~39ms later in the syzbot report) 5. iomap_write_end_inline() tries to memcpy() to iomap->inline_data 6. KASAN detects use-after-free write to freed memory Fix by storing dibh in iomap->private and incrementing its refcount with get_bh() in gfs2_iomap_begin(). The buffer is then properly released in gfs2_iomap_end() after the inline write completes, ensuring the page stays alive for the entire iomap operation. Note: A C reproducer is not available for this issue. The fix is based on analysis of the KASAN report and code review showing the buffer head is freed before use. [agruenba: Take buffer head reference in gfs2_iomap_begin() to avoid leaks in gfs2_iomap_get() and gfs2_iomap_alloc().]
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
CVE-2026-45984 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's GFS2 filesystem, caused by premature release of the inline data buffer head (dibh) in gfs2_iomap_begin() via release_metapath(), while iomap->inline_data still points to dibh->b_data. This results in a use-after-free when iomap_write_end_inline() attempts to write to the inline data area. The fix involves storing dibh in iomap->private and incrementing its reference count with get_bh() to ensure proper release timing. Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:27789 and RHSA-2026:33743 confirm the fix is included in kernel updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 8 respectively, requiring a system reboot to apply.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution, kernel memory corruption, or system crashes due to use-after-free conditions in the kernel's GFS2 filesystem code. The CVSS vector indicates local attack vector with low complexity, requiring low privileges and no user interaction, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Red Hat has released official kernel updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 that fix this vulnerability. Users should apply these updates promptly and reboot affected systems to ensure the fix takes effect. No additional mitigations are required beyond applying the official patches and rebooting.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gfs2: Fix use-after-free in iomap inline data write path The inline data buffer… (CVE-2026-45984)
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: gfs2: Fix use-after-free in iomap inline data write path The inline data buffer head (dibh) is being released prematurely in gfs2_iomap_begin() via release_metapath() while iomap->inline_data still points to dibh->b_data. This causes a use-after-free when iomap_write_end_inline() later attempts to write to the inline data area. The bug sequence: 1. gfs2_iomap_begin() calls gfs2_meta_inode_buffer() to read inode metadata into dibh 2. Sets iomap->inline_data = dibh->b_data + sizeof(struct gfs2_dinode) 3. Calls release_metapath() which calls brelse(dibh), dropping refcount to 0 4. kswapd reclaims the page (~39ms later in the syzbot report) 5. iomap_write_end_inline() tries to memcpy() to iomap->inline_data 6. KASAN detects use-after-free write to freed memory Fix by storing dibh in iomap->private and incrementing its refcount with get_bh() in gfs2_iomap_begin(). The buffer is then properly released in gfs2_iomap_end() after the inline write completes, ensuring the page stays alive for the entire iomap operation. Note: A C reproducer is not available for this issue. The fix is based on analysis of the KASAN report and code review showing the buffer head is freed before use. [agruenba: Take buffer head reference in gfs2_iomap_begin() to avoid leaks in gfs2_iomap_get() and gfs2_iomap_alloc().]
CVSS v3.1
Score 7.8high
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-45984 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's GFS2 filesystem, caused by premature release of the inline data buffer head (dibh) in gfs2_iomap_begin() via release_metapath(), while iomap->inline_data still points to dibh->b_data. This results in a use-after-free when iomap_write_end_inline() attempts to write to the inline data area. The fix involves storing dibh in iomap->private and incrementing its reference count with get_bh() to ensure proper release timing. Red Hat advisories RHSA-2026:27789 and RHSA-2026:33743 confirm the fix is included in kernel updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 8 respectively, requiring a system reboot to apply.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to arbitrary code execution, kernel memory corruption, or system crashes due to use-after-free conditions in the kernel's GFS2 filesystem code. The CVSS vector indicates local attack vector with low complexity, requiring low privileges and no user interaction, with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Mitigation Recommendations
Red Hat has released official kernel updates for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and 9 that fix this vulnerability. Users should apply these updates promptly and reboot affected systems to ensure the fix takes effect. No additional mitigations are required beyond applying the official patches and rebooting.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Osv Id
- GHSA-c7gf-37rm-rpg6
- Osv Schema Version
- 1.4.0
- Aliases
- ["CVE-2026-45984"]
- Ecosystems
- []
- Database Specific Severity
- HIGH
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
Threat ID: 6a4d0714c9d9e3dbe3422bce
Added to database: 07/07/2026, 14:03:00 UTC
Last enriched: 07/07/2026, 14:13:29 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:24:47 UTC
Views: 55
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