Local data loss via dirty-folio discard
Published Aug 10, 2026 · Updated Aug 10, 2026
Data loss in the Linux kernel 5.4 through 7.1.3 allows local users to discard dirty file data through a file-THP collapse sequence. collapse_file() permits THP collapse alongside dirty folios, then a writable reopen drives truncate_inode_pages() to discard them without writeback. The sequence requires write access to the file, a MADV_COLLAPSE mapping, and a later writable open; the bounded consequence is loss of unwritten file contents.
Summary
What happened
Data loss in the Linux kernel 5.4 through 7.1.3 allows local users to discard dirty file data through a file-THP collapse sequence. collapse_file() permits THP collapse alongside dirty folios, then a writable reopen drives truncate_inode_pages() to discard them without writeback. The sequence requires write access to the file, a MADV_COLLAPSE mapping, and a later writable open; the bounded consequence is loss of unwritten file contents.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-68086
- Published
- Aug 10, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 10, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1485
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 10, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 10, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=5.4
- Affected versionversion=99cb0dbd47a15d395bf3faa78dc122bc5efe3fc0 <2dfe9f5c91d0963058f8a5e46e1c2a908382cc46
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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