CVE-2023-52786

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix racy may inline data check in dio write syzbot reports that the following warning from ext4_iomap_begin() triggers as of the commit referenced below: if (WARN_ON_ONCE(ext4_has_inline_data(inode))) return -ERANGE; This occurs during a dio write, which is never expected to encounter an inode with inline data. To enforce this behavior, ext4_dio_write_iter() checks the current inline state of the inode and clears the MAY_INLINE_DATA state flag to either fall back to buffered writes, or enforce that any other writers in progress on the inode are not allowed to create inline data. The problem is that the check for existing inline data and the state flag can span a lock cycle. For example, if the ilock is originally locked shared and subsequently upgraded to exclusive, another writer may have reacquired the lock and created inline data before the dio write task acquires the lock and proceeds. The commit referenced below loosens the lock requirements to allow some forms of unaligned dio writes to occur under shared lock, but AFAICT the inline data check was technically already racy for any dio write that would have involved a lock cycle. Regardless, lift clearing of the state bit to the same lock critical section that checks for preexisting inline data on the inode to close the race.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2024-05-21
Last modified 2025-09-25
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Awaiting data

CVSS 3.1 score

4.7

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-667

CVE-2023-52786 is a Improper Locking vulnerability

What is Improper Locking?

The product does not properly acquire or release a lock, which can lead to unexpected behaviour. Learn more on MITRE CWE

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2023-52786 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2023-52786?

    CVE-2023-52786 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10 , classified as an Improper Locking flaw (CWE-667) . CVE-2023-52786 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2023-52786?

    CVE-2023-52786 has a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2023-52786?

    No patch is currently available for CVE-2023-52786. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

  • Is CVE-2023-52786 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2023-52786 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Improper Locking (CWE-667)?

    The product does not properly acquire or release a lock, which can lead to unexpected behaviour. View CWE-667 on MITRE CWE →