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CVE Record

CVE-2024-46840: btrfs: clean up our handling of refs == 0 in snapshot delete

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: clean up our handling of refs == 0 in snapshot delete In reada we BUG_ON(refs == 0), which could be unkind since we aren't holding a lock on the extent leaf and thus could get a transient incorrect answer. In walk_down_proc we also BUG_ON(refs == 0), which could happen if we have extent tree corruption. Change that to return -EUCLEAN. In do_walk_down() we catch this case and handle it correctly, however we return -EIO, which -EUCLEAN is a more appropriate error code. Finally in walk_up_proc we have the same BUG_ON(refs == 0), so convert that to proper error handling. Also adjust the error message so we can actually do something with the information.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-46840 is a Linux kernel Btrfs flaw where snapshot deletion could hit a kernel BUG instead of cleanly handling a zero-reference condition. The practical concern is availability: affected systems using Btrfs snapshots may crash or fail during certain snapshot-delete or filesystem-corruption scenarios.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability risk for Linux Btrfs estates, not an internet-wide emergency based on current evidence. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for systems relying on Btrfs snapshots.

Technical view

The fix replaces BUG_ON(refs == 0) paths in Btrfs snapshot deletion logic with error handling, including EUCLEAN for corruption-like conditions. The affected area is Btrfs extent reference handling during snapshot deletion, including reada, walk_down_proc, do_walk_down, and walk_up_proc.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions and using Btrfs, especially environments that create and delete snapshots. Systems not using Btrfs are unlikely to be exposed based on the provided sources.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show active exploitation, public exploit details, or CISA KEV listing. Evidence supports a kernel availability issue, not confirmed remote code execution or data theft.

Researcher notes

The important security distinction is BUG_ON removal: the fix converts crash-prone assertions into recoverable error paths. Confirm exposure through kernel lineage and distribution backports rather than upstream version strings alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a Linux kernel or vendor package containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Debian LTS advisories if running Debian-supported kernels.
  • Prioritize hosts using Btrfs snapshots or automation that deletes snapshots.
  • If immediate patching is delayed, monitor Btrfs errors and snapshot deletion failures.
  • Follow vendor guidance for distribution-specific fixed package versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts using Btrfs filesystems.
  • Identify kernel versions and compare against vendor fixed releases.
  • Review whether Btrfs snapshot deletion is used operationally.
  • Check package advisories for CVE-2024-46840 coverage.
  • Review kernel logs for Btrfs corruption or snapshot-delete errors.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
11Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592a, 2c47e605a91dde6b0514f689645e7ab336c8592aunaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.31, 0, 4.19.322, 5.4.284, 5.10.226, 5.15.167, 6.1.110, 6.6.51, 6.10.10, 6.11affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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