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CVE Record

CVE-2025-22113: ext4: avoid journaling sb update on error if journal is destroying

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: avoid journaling sb update on error if journal is destroying Presently we always BUG_ON if trying to start a transaction on a journal marked with JBD2_UNMOUNT, since this should never happen. However, while ltp running stress tests, it was observed that in case of some error handling paths, it is possible for update_super_work to start a transaction after the journal is destroyed eg: (umount) ext4_kill_sb kill_block_super generic_shutdown_super sync_filesystem /* commits all txns */ evict_inodes /* might start a new txn */ ext4_put_super flush_work(&sbi->s_sb_upd_work) /* flush the workqueue */ jbd2_journal_destroy journal_kill_thread journal->j_flags |= JBD2_UNMOUNT; jbd2_journal_commit_transaction jbd2_journal_get_descriptor_buffer jbd2_journal_bmap ext4_journal_bmap ext4_map_blocks ... ext4_inode_error ext4_handle_error schedule_work(&sbi->s_sb_upd_work) /* work queue kicks in */ update_super_work jbd2_journal_start start_this_handle BUG_ON(journal->j_flags & JBD2_UNMOUNT) Hence, introduce a new mount flag to indicate journal is destroying and only do a journaled (and deferred) update of sb if this flag is not set. Otherwise, just fallback to an un-journaled commit. Further, in the journal destroy path, we have the following sequence: 1. Set mount flag indicating journal is destroying 2. force a commit and wait for it 3. flush pending sb updates This sequence is important as it ensures that, after this point, there is no sb update that might be journaled so it is safe to update the sb outside the journal. (To avoid race discussed in 2d01ddc86606) Also, we don't need a similar check in ext4_grp_locked_error since it is only called from mballoc and AFAICT it would be always valid to schedule work here.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel ext4 flaw can crash a system if ext4 error-handling work tries to update the superblock after the journal is already being destroyed during unmount. The source describes a kernel BUG found under LTP stress testing, so the main business concern is availability, not confirmed data theft or remote compromise.

Executive priority

Treat this as a reliability-focused kernel patching item. It does not show confirmed active exploitation in the supplied sources, but kernel crashes on critical ext4 systems can still create meaningful operational disruption.

Technical view

The issue is a race in ext4/jbd2 teardown. During unmount, an error path can schedule update_super_work after JBD2_UNMOUNT is set, causing jbd2_journal_start to hit BUG_ON. The fix adds state indicating journal destruction and falls back to an unjournaled superblock update when journaling is unsafe.

Likely exposure

Systems running affected Linux kernels with ext4 filesystems are the relevant exposure. The provided version data is incomplete and should be verified against distribution kernel advisories and the referenced stable commits.

Exploitation context

No KEV listing is provided, and the source bundle does not cite active exploitation. The observed trigger came from LTP stress tests and ext4 error handling during unmount, so real-world exploitability is not established by the supplied evidence.

Researcher notes

The source identifies a teardown race involving ext4_kill_sb, jbd2_journal_destroy, ext4_handle_error, schedule_work, update_super_work, and jbd2_journal_start. The remediation changes journaling behavior only while the journal is being destroyed. Affected-version metadata is not precise enough for standalone exposure decisions.

Mitigation direction

  • Check vendor or distribution advisories for patched kernel builds.
  • Prioritize patching Linux systems that use ext4 for critical workloads.
  • Map fleet kernel versions against the referenced stable fixes.
  • Follow vendor guidance if immediate kernel updates are not available.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems using ext4 filesystems and Linux kernels.
  • Compare running kernel builds with distribution fixes for CVE-2025-22113.
  • Review crash logs for ext4, jbd2, BUG_ON, or unmount-related panics.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the referenced ext4 journal-destroy handling change.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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
0ADP providers
4Source links

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

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Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux2d01ddc86606564fb08c56e3bc93a0693895f710, 2d01ddc86606564fb08c56e3bc93a0693895f710, 2d01ddc86606564fb08c56e3bc93a0693895f710unaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 6.12.46, 6.14.2, 6.15affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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