CVE-2025-38365: btrfs: fix a race between renames and directory logging
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
btrfs: fix a race between renames and directory logging
We have a race between a rename and directory inode logging that if it
happens and we crash/power fail before the rename completes, the next time
the filesystem is mounted, the log replay code will end up deleting the
file that was being renamed.
This is best explained following a step by step analysis of an interleaving
of steps that lead into this situation.
Consider the initial conditions:
1) We are at transaction N;
2) We have directories A and B created in a past transaction (< N);
3) We have inode X corresponding to a file that has 2 hardlinks, one in
directory A and the other in directory B, so we'll name them as
"A/foo_link1" and "B/foo_link2". Both hard links were persisted in a
past transaction (< N);
4) We have inode Y corresponding to a file that as a single hard link and
is located in directory A, we'll name it as "A/bar". This file was also
persisted in a past transaction (< N).
The steps leading to a file loss are the following and for all of them we
are under transaction N:
1) Link "A/foo_link1" is removed, so inode's X last_unlink_trans field
is updated to N, through btrfs_unlink() -> btrfs_record_unlink_dir();
2) Task A starts a rename for inode Y, with the goal of renaming from
"A/bar" to "A/baz", so we enter btrfs_rename();
3) Task A inserts the new BTRFS_INODE_REF_KEY for inode Y by calling
btrfs_insert_inode_ref();
4) Because the rename happens in the same directory, we don't set the
last_unlink_trans field of directoty A's inode to the current
transaction id, that is, we don't cal btrfs_record_unlink_dir();
5) Task A then removes the entries from directory A (BTRFS_DIR_ITEM_KEY
and BTRFS_DIR_INDEX_KEY items) when calling __btrfs_unlink_inode()
(actually the dir index item is added as a delayed item, but the
effect is the same);
6) Now before task A adds the new entry "A/baz" to directory A by
calling btrfs_add_link(), another task, task B is logging inode X;
7) Task B starts a fsync of inode X and after logging inode X, at
btrfs_log_inode_parent() it calls btrfs_log_all_parents(), since
inode X has a last_unlink_trans value of N, set at in step 1;
8) At btrfs_log_all_parents() we search for all parent directories of
inode X using the commit root, so we find directories A and B and log
them. Bu when logging direct A, we don't have a dir index item for
inode Y anymore, neither the old name "A/bar" nor for the new name
"A/baz" since the rename has deleted the old name but has not yet
inserted the new name - task A hasn't called yet btrfs_add_link() to
do that.
Note that logging directory A doesn't fallback to a transaction
commit because its last_unlink_trans has a lower value than the
current transaction's id (see step 4);
9) Task B finishes logging directories A and B and gets back to
btrfs_sync_file() where it calls btrfs_sync_log() to persist the log
tree;
10) Task B successfully persisted the log tree, btrfs_sync_log() completed
with success, and a power failure happened.
We have a log tree without any directory entry for inode Y, so the
log replay code deletes the entry for inode Y, name "A/bar", from the
subvolume tree since it doesn't exist in the log tree and the log
tree is authorative for its index (we logged a BTRFS_DIR_LOG_INDEX_KEY
item that covers the index range for the dentry that corresponds to
"A/bar").
Since there's no other hard link for inode Y and the log replay code
deletes the name "A/bar", the file is lost.
The issue wouldn't happen if task B synced the log only after task A
called btrfs_log_new_name(), which would update the log with the new name
for inode Y ("A/bar").
Fix this by pinning the log root during renames before removing the old
directory entry, and unpinning af
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A timing flaw in Linux's Btrfs filesystem can make a renamed file disappear after a crash or power loss. Concurrent activity can persist an incomplete directory log; recovery then treats the missing entry as authoritative and removes the file's only name. The documented impact is data integrity and availability, not confidentiality loss.
Executive priority
Treat remediation as urgent where critical production data resides on Btrfs, particularly when abrupt shutdowns are plausible. The principal business risk is file loss discovered during recovery. Schedule vendor-approved kernel updates promptly, while prioritizing systems by Btrfs usage, data criticality, power resilience, and backup readiness.
Technical view
A race between btrfs_rename() and directory logging allows fsync to persist a directory while the old entry is removed but the new entry is absent. If the system fails before rename completion, log replay can delete the remaining file entry. The upstream fix pins the log root during the vulnerable rename interval.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to systems running affected Linux kernels with actively used Btrfs filesystems. The supplied affected-version data lists several kernel versions but contains ambiguous entries, including “0.” Distribution kernels may contain backports, so version strings alone cannot reliably establish exposure.
Exploitation context
The supplied bundle marks KEV as false, and no cited source reports active exploitation or a public exploit. Triggering requires a narrow concurrency window during Btrfs rename and logging, followed by a crash or power loss. Although the CVSS vector states network access, the narrative does not demonstrate a remote attack path.
Researcher notes
The supplied description is truncated, and its affected-version data includes an anomalous “0” plus fix commits without branch mapping. Validate exact affected and fixed boundaries against upstream stable commits and distribution advisories. The documented primitive is a filesystem consistency race during logging and replay; it does not establish remote code execution.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix, then reboot into it.
Prioritize Btrfs systems exposed to sudden resets or power loss and protect critical data with tested backups.
Review the Debian LTS advisory when applicable; otherwise obtain distribution-specific remediation guidance.
Until patched, reduce unplanned shutdown risk; this lowers exposure but does not remove the flaw.
Validation and detection
Inventory mounted filesystem types and identify systems actively using Btrfs.
Record running kernel and distribution package versions, not merely installed kernel packages.
Confirm through vendor advisories or commit history that the relevant stable fix is present.
After updating, verify the fixed kernel is running and perform approved backup-restoration checks.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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