CVE-2026-98080
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Kernel warning in Btrfs during qgroup accounting

Publication date: 2026-09-25

Last updated on: 2026-10-06

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: do not force reloc root creation during qgroup_account_snapshot() [BUG] When running btrfs/252 with quota enabled through MKFS_OPTIONS="-O quota", it has a high chance to trigger the following kernel warning and flips the fs RO: BTRFS info (device dm-2): relocating block group 30408704 flags metadata|dup ------------[ cut here ]------------ WARNING: fs/btrfs/extent-tree.c:879 at lookup_inline_extent_backref+0x74b/0x960 [btrfs], CPU#4: btrfs/2173 CPU: 4 UID: 0 PID: 2173 Comm: btrfs Not tainted 7.2.0-rc6-custom+ #457 PREEMPT(full) 3adc6528fb66f7a55fe1095385818e742f200aab Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS unknown 02/02/2022 RIP: 0010:lookup_inline_extent_backref+0x74b/0x960 [btrfs] Call Trace: <TASK> insert_inline_extent_backref+0x7c/0x160 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] __btrfs_inc_extent_ref+0xa9/0x270 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] __btrfs_run_delayed_refs+0x4af/0x11c0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_run_delayed_refs+0x9d/0xf0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] create_pending_snapshot+0x39d/0xf00 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] create_pending_snapshots+0x9b/0xc0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_commit_transaction+0x280/0xeb0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] prepare_to_relocate+0x147/0x200 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] relocate_block_group+0x6b/0x5e0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_relocate_block_group+0x92c/0x2380 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_relocate_chunk+0x3f/0x1a0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_balance+0xa2c/0x19c0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_ioctl+0x2839/0x2d30 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x416/0x9a0 do_syscall_64+0xe1/0x790 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 </TASK> ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- BTRFS info (device dm-2): leaf 4593991680 gen 233 total ptrs 175 free space 5953 owner 2 BTRFS info (device dm-2): refs 3 lock_owner 2173 current 2173 item 0 key (166772736 METADATA_ITEM 1) itemoff 16250 itemsize 33 extent refs 1 gen 222 flags 2 ref#0: tree block backref root 266 [ Skip the tree dump ] item 174 key (263225344 METADATA_ITEM 0) itemoff 10328 itemsize 33 extent refs 1 gen 162 flags 258 ref#0: tree block backref root 267 BTRFS error (device dm-2): extent item not found for insert, bytenr 179847168 num_bytes 16384 parent 4594335744 root_objectid 273 owner 0 offset 0 BTRFS error (device dm-2): failed to run delayed ref for logical 179847168 num_bytes 16384 type 182 action 1 ref_mod 1: -117 [CAUSE] The above error is showing that there is a tree reference to a metadata extent that is no longer there. With "ref_verify" mount option (requires CONFIG_BTRFS_DEBUG), there is some extra debug output: BTRFS error (device dm-2): dumping block entry [180961280 16384], num_refs 0, metadata 1, from disk 0 BTRFS error (device dm-2): root entry 256, num_refs 18446744073709551615 BTRFS error (device dm-2): root entry 273, num_refs 18446744073709551615 BTRFS error (device dm-2): Ref action 3, root 273, ref_root 273, parent 0, owner 0, offset 0, num_refs 1 btrfs_force_cow_block+0x129/0x7d0 [btrfs] btrfs_cow_block+0x10a/0x250 [btrfs] btrfs_search_slot+0x5eb/0xf40 [btrfs] btrfs_insert_empty_items+0x3a/0x70 [btrfs] insert_with_overflow+0x53/0x130 [btrfs] btrfs_insert_dir_item+0x125/0x290 [btrfs] btrfs_add_link+0xaa/0x410 [btrfs] btrfs_rename+0x5ea/0xcd0 [btrfs] btrfs_rename2+0x28/0x60 [btrfs] vfs_rename+0x5b2/0xe10 filename_renameat2+0x244/0x430 __x64_sys_rename+0x48/0x70 do_syscall_64+0xe1/0x790 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 ---truncated---

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Meta Information

Published
2026-09-25
Last Modified
2026-10-06
Generated
2026-10-16
AI Q&A
2026-09-25
EPSS Evaluated
2026-10-14
NVD
CVE-2026-98080
EUVD
EUVD-2026-86910

Affected Vendors & Products

Showing 9 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel From 4.14.45 (inc) to 4.15 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 7.2.7 (exc)
linux linux_kernel 7.3
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.53 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.111 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 4.16.13 (inc) to 5.10.271 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.222 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.0 (inc) to 6.1.189 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.158 (exc)

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Exploitability

CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-672 The product uses, accesses, or otherwise operates on a resource after that resource has been expired, released, or revoked.

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Executive Summary

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Btrfs filesystem could cause filesystem corruption when quota accounting is enabled. It occurs during snapshot operations when the system tries to reference metadata that no longer exists, leading to errors and potentially forcing the filesystem into read-only mode.

Detection Guidance

This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's Btrfs filesystem and may cause filesystem corruption or read-only flips. Detection requires checking kernel logs for Btrfs errors or warnings related to extent references or metadata issues.

Impact Analysis

If you use Btrfs with quotas enabled, this bug could corrupt your filesystem during snapshot operations, causing data loss or making the filesystem inaccessible. Systems may become unresponsive or require recovery procedures.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability affects data integrity and system availability by causing filesystem errors and potential read-only mode flips. For compliance standards like GDPR and HIPAA, which require data integrity and availability, this could lead to violations if the filesystem corruption impacts stored data or prevents access to critical information.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest kernel update that includes the fix for this Btrfs issue. Avoid using Btrfs with quota enabled until patched. Monitor filesystem health and back up critical data.

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