ext4: allow ext4_get_group_info() to fail
Previously, ext4_get_group_info() would treat an invalid group number
as BUG(), since in theory it should never happen. However, if a
malicious attaker (or fuzzer) modifies the superblock via the block
device while it is the file system is mounted, it is possible for
s_first_data_block to get set to a very large number. In that case,
when calculating the block group of some block number (such as the
starting block of a preallocation region), could result in an
underflow and very large block group number. Then the BUG_ON check in
ext4_get_group_info() would fire, resutling in a denial of service
attack that can be triggered by root or someone with write access to
the block device.
For a quality of implementation perspective, it's best that even if
the system administrator does something that they shouldn't, that it
will not trigger a BUG. So instead of BUG'ing, ext4_get_group_info()
will call ext4_error and return NULL. We also add fallback code in
all of the callers of ext4_get_group_info() that it might NULL.
Also, since ext4_get_group_info() was already borderline to be an
inline function, un-inline it. The results in a next reduction of the
compiled text size of ext4 by roughly 2k.
No advisories yet.
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
No workaround given by the vendor.
Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Weaknesses | CWE-476 | |
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:6.4:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | |
| Metrics |
cvssV3_1
|
cvssV3_1
|
Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:45:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* |
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| First Time appeared |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
|
| Vendors & Products |
Linux
Linux linux Kernel |
Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:15:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| References |
| |
| Metrics |
threat_severity
|
cvssV3_1
|
Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: allow ext4_get_group_info() to fail Previously, ext4_get_group_info() would treat an invalid group number as BUG(), since in theory it should never happen. However, if a malicious attaker (or fuzzer) modifies the superblock via the block device while it is the file system is mounted, it is possible for s_first_data_block to get set to a very large number. In that case, when calculating the block group of some block number (such as the starting block of a preallocation region), could result in an underflow and very large block group number. Then the BUG_ON check in ext4_get_group_info() would fire, resutling in a denial of service attack that can be triggered by root or someone with write access to the block device. For a quality of implementation perspective, it's best that even if the system administrator does something that they shouldn't, that it will not trigger a BUG. So instead of BUG'ing, ext4_get_group_info() will call ext4_error and return NULL. We also add fallback code in all of the callers of ext4_get_group_info() that it might NULL. Also, since ext4_get_group_info() was already borderline to be an inline function, un-inline it. The results in a next reduction of the compiled text size of ext4 by roughly 2k. | |
| Title | ext4: allow ext4_get_group_info() to fail | |
| References |
|
|
Projects
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: Linux
Published:
Updated: 2026-01-05T10:21:00.886Z
Reserved: 2025-10-01T11:39:39.404Z
Link: CVE-2023-53503
No data.
Status : Analyzed
Published: 2025-10-01T12:15:53.917
Modified: 2026-01-26T19:52:17.107
Link: CVE-2023-53503
OpenCVE Enrichment
Updated: 2025-10-02T08:38:25Z