Kernel compromise via XFS root-level off-by-one
Published Aug 26, 2026 · Updated Aug 27, 2026
Out-of-bounds write in Linux kernel XFS allows local users to crash or compromise the kernel by mounting a crafted rtreflink image. xfs_rtrefcountbt_verify() and xfs_iformat_rtrefcount() accept a root level equal to the computed maximum, so cursor setup adds one and the first btree operation writes beyond bc_levels. Reachability requires an rtreflink image with metadir, realtime, and reflink metadata, followed by mount recovery or FS_IOC_GETFSMAP; the write can panic or compromise the host kernel.
Summary
What happened
Out-of-bounds write in Linux kernel XFS allows local users to crash or compromise the kernel by mounting a crafted rtreflink image. xfs_rtrefcountbt_verify() and xfs_iformat_rtrefcount() accept a root level equal to the computed maximum, so cursor setup adds one and the first btree operation writes beyond bc_levels. Reachability requires an rtreflink image with metadir, realtime, and reflink metadata, followed by mount recovery or FS_IOC_GETFSMAP; the write can panic or compromise the host kernel.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-80537
- Published
- Aug 26, 2026
- Updated
- Aug 27, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 26, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 27, 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=6.14
- Affected versionversion=9abe03a0e4f978615a2b1b484b8d09ca84c16ea0 <8a0ecae2ecda9f9a83a496ed05c42c4b1f5c3f2d
- Affected versionversion=9abe03a0e4f978615a2b1b484b8d09ca84c16ea0 <cc3144da377de5fb422d44a2311f978623f7c900
- Affected versionversion=9abe03a0e4f978615a2b1b484b8d09ca84c16ea0 <ccebfc309441e0b37b2e6ece90f18810a489d326
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
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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