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CVE Record

CVE-2025-39738: btrfs: do not allow relocation of partially dropped subvolumes

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: do not allow relocation of partially dropped subvolumes [BUG] There is an internal report that balance triggered transaction abort, with the following call trace: item 85 key (594509824 169 0) itemoff 12599 itemsize 33 extent refs 1 gen 197740 flags 2 ref#0: tree block backref root 7 item 86 key (594558976 169 0) itemoff 12566 itemsize 33 extent refs 1 gen 197522 flags 2 ref#0: tree block backref root 7 ... BTRFS error (device loop0): extent item not found for insert, bytenr 594526208 num_bytes 16384 parent 449921024 root_objectid 934 owner 1 offset 0 BTRFS error (device loop0): failed to run delayed ref for logical 594526208 num_bytes 16384 type 182 action 1 ref_mod 1: -117 ------------[ cut here ]------------ BTRFS: Transaction aborted (error -117) WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 6963 at ../fs/btrfs/extent-tree.c:2168 btrfs_run_delayed_refs+0xfa/0x110 [btrfs] And btrfs check doesn't report anything wrong related to the extent tree. [CAUSE] The cause is a little complex, firstly the extent tree indeed doesn't have the backref for 594526208. The extent tree only have the following two backrefs around that bytenr on-disk: item 65 key (594509824 METADATA_ITEM 0) itemoff 13880 itemsize 33 refs 1 gen 197740 flags TREE_BLOCK tree block skinny level 0 (176 0x7) tree block backref root CSUM_TREE item 66 key (594558976 METADATA_ITEM 0) itemoff 13847 itemsize 33 refs 1 gen 197522 flags TREE_BLOCK tree block skinny level 0 (176 0x7) tree block backref root CSUM_TREE But the such missing backref item is not an corruption on disk, as the offending delayed ref belongs to subvolume 934, and that subvolume is being dropped: item 0 key (934 ROOT_ITEM 198229) itemoff 15844 itemsize 439 generation 198229 root_dirid 256 bytenr 10741039104 byte_limit 0 bytes_used 345571328 last_snapshot 198229 flags 0x1000000000001(RDONLY) refs 0 drop_progress key (206324 EXTENT_DATA 2711650304) drop_level 2 level 2 generation_v2 198229 And that offending tree block 594526208 is inside the dropped range of that subvolume. That explains why there is no backref item for that bytenr and why btrfs check is not reporting anything wrong. But this also shows another problem, as btrfs will do all the orphan subvolume cleanup at a read-write mount. So half-dropped subvolume should not exist after an RW mount, and balance itself is also exclusive to subvolume cleanup, meaning we shouldn't hit a subvolume half-dropped during relocation. The root cause is, there is no orphan item for this subvolume. In fact there are 5 subvolumes from around 2021 that have the same problem. It looks like the original report has some older kernels running, and caused those zombie subvolumes. Thankfully upstream commit 8d488a8c7ba2 ("btrfs: fix subvolume/snapshot deletion not triggered on mount") has long fixed the bug. [ENHANCEMENT] For repairing such old fs, btrfs-progs will be enhanced. Considering how delayed the problem will show up (at run delayed ref time) and at that time we have to abort transaction already, it is too late. Instead here we reject any half-dropped subvolume for reloc tree at the earliest time, preventing confusion and extra time wasted on debugging similar bugs.

HighCVSS 7.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux Btrfs filesystem containing an old, incompletely deleted subvolume can abort a transaction when administrators run a balance operation. This may disrupt storage availability and risk filesystem integrity. Exploitation requires local access and a specific legacy filesystem condition; the supplied sources do not establish remote or active exploitation.

Executive priority

Prioritize storage hosts that use Btrfs, preserve long-lived filesystems, or routinely perform balance operations. Treat exposed production storage as a high patching priority, but avoid implying an internet-scale emergency: exploitation is local, requires unusual filesystem state, and is not documented as active.

Technical view

A partially dropped Btrfs subvolume may lack an orphan item because of an older deletion bug. Relocation can then create a delayed reference to an already dropped tree block, fail with error -117, and abort the transaction. The kernel fix rejects partially dropped subvolumes from relocation before delayed-reference processing.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems using Btrfs that retain partially dropped subvolumes, particularly filesystems previously operated by older kernels, and then undergo balance or relocation. The supplied version list identifies affected kernel entries but does not provide dependable distribution-package boundaries; confirm status with the relevant vendor.

Exploitation context

The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.3 with local, low-privileged access required and high integrity and availability impacts. The supplied record says KEV is false, and no cited evidence establishes active exploitation, public weaponization, or remote reachability. The reported scenario appears operational and state-dependent.

Researcher notes

The source attributes the filesystem state to an older subvolume-deletion defect already addressed by upstream commit 8d488a8c7ba2. This CVE adds defensive rejection during relocation; btrfs-progs repair enhancement is mentioned without a released version. Exact affected and fixed distribution versions remain vendor-dependent.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels using vendor packages that include the referenced stable-branch fix.
  • Review Debian, Siemens, or relevant platform-vendor advisories for product-specific fixed versions.
  • Use vendor-supported btrfs-progs repair guidance for legacy partially dropped subvolumes when available.
  • Back up critical Btrfs data before maintenance and defer balance on suspect filesystems until reviewed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems using Btrfs and record kernel and distribution package versions.
  • Compare installed packages with the CVE record, stable commits, and applicable vendor advisories.
  • Review logs for transaction aborts, delayed-reference failures, or extent-item-not-found errors during Btrfs balance.
  • Identify legacy filesystems with interrupted or partially dropped subvolumes, especially those originating from older kernels.
  • After updating, confirm vendor-supported checks complete without relevant Btrfs errors before resuming balance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
11

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2025-39738 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
10Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.3CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H1.85.5Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.3High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2025-39738Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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

CVECVE Program Container
siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67, 638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67, 638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67, 638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67, 638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67, 638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67, 638331fa56caeaa8b4d31cc1dfbe0ce989bcff67unaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 5.15.190, 6.1.149, 6.6.103, 6.12.43, 6.15.11, 6.16.2, 6.17affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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