CVE-2026-46046
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
ext4 Filesystem Refcount Leak in Linux Kernel

Publication date: 2026-05-27

Last updated on: 2026-06-16

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix missing brelse() in ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all() The commit c8e008b60492 ("ext4: ignore xattrs past end") introduced a refcount leak in when block_csum is false. ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all() calls ext4_get_inode_loc() to get iloc.bh, but never releases it with brelse().
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Meta Information
Published
2026-05-27
Last Modified
2026-06-16
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-05-27
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-46046
EUVD
EUVD-2026-32428
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 9 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 6.13.12 (inc) to 6.14 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.4.293 (inc) to 5.5 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.0.4 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.10.237 (inc) to 5.10.258 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.15.181 (inc) to 5.15.209 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.1.135 (inc) to 6.1.175 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.12.24 (inc) to 6.12.86 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.14.3 (inc) to 6.18.27 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.6.88 (inc) to 6.6.140 (exc)
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-UNKNOWN
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a flaw in the Linux kernel's ext4 filesystem code. Specifically, a function called ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all() fails to release a resource properly because it does not call brelse() to release a buffer head (iloc.bh) obtained from ext4_get_inode_loc(). This leads to a reference count leak when the block_csum feature is disabled.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability causes a reference count leak in the ext4 filesystem code, which can lead to resource exhaustion over time. This may degrade system performance or stability, potentially causing crashes or other unexpected behavior due to unreleased resources accumulating.

Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability is fixed in the Linux kernel by correcting the missing brelse() call in ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all(). To mitigate this vulnerability, you should update your Linux kernel to a version that includes this fix.

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