In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

flex_proportions: make fprop_new_period() hardirq safe

Bernd has reported a lockdep splat from flexible proportions code that is
essentially complaining about the following race:

<timer fires>
run_timer_softirq - we are in softirq context
call_timer_fn
writeout_period
fprop_new_period
write_seqcount_begin(&p->sequence);

<hardirq is raised>
...
blk_mq_end_request()
blk_update_request()
ext4_end_bio()
folio_end_writeback()
__wb_writeout_add()
__fprop_add_percpu_max()
if (unlikely(max_frac < FPROP_FRAC_BASE)) {
fprop_fraction_percpu()
seq = read_seqcount_begin(&p->sequence);
- sees odd sequence so loops indefinitely

Note that a deadlock like this is only possible if the bdi has configured
maximum fraction of writeout throughput which is very rare in general but
frequent for example for FUSE bdis. To fix this problem we have to make
sure write section of the sequence counter is irqsafe.

Project Subscriptions

Vendors Products
Linux Kernel Subscribe
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: flex_proportions: make fprop_new_period() hardirq safe Bernd has reported a lockdep splat from flexible proportions code that is essentially complaining about the following race: <timer fires> run_timer_softirq - we are in softirq context call_timer_fn writeout_period fprop_new_period write_seqcount_begin(&p->sequence); <hardirq is raised> ... blk_mq_end_request() blk_update_request() ext4_end_bio() folio_end_writeback() __wb_writeout_add() __fprop_add_percpu_max() if (unlikely(max_frac < FPROP_FRAC_BASE)) { fprop_fraction_percpu() seq = read_seqcount_begin(&p->sequence); - sees odd sequence so loops indefinitely Note that a deadlock like this is only possible if the bdi has configured maximum fraction of writeout throughput which is very rare in general but frequent for example for FUSE bdis. To fix this problem we have to make sure write section of the sequence counter is irqsafe.
Title flex_proportions: make fprop_new_period() hardirq safe
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Projects

Sign in to view the affected projects.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-02-14T16:01:31.465Z

Reserved: 2026-01-13T15:37:45.981Z

Link: CVE-2026-23168

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-02-14T16:15:57.023

Modified: 2026-02-14T16:15:57.023

Link: CVE-2026-23168

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

No weakness.