CVE-2025-40100: btrfs: do not assert we found block group item when creating free space tree
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
btrfs: do not assert we found block group item when creating free space tree
Currently, when building a free space tree at populate_free_space_tree(),
if we are not using the block group tree feature, we always expect to find
block group items (either extent items or a block group item with key type
BTRFS_BLOCK_GROUP_ITEM_KEY) when we search the extent tree with
btrfs_search_slot_for_read(), so we assert that we found an item. However
this expectation is wrong since we can have a new block group created in
the current transaction which is still empty and for which we still have
not added the block group's item to the extent tree, in which case we do
not have any items in the extent tree associated to the block group.
The insertion of a new block group's block group item in the extent tree
happens at btrfs_create_pending_block_groups() when it calls the helper
insert_block_group_item(). This typically is done when a transaction
handle is released, committed or when running delayed refs (either as
part of a transaction commit or when serving tickets for space reservation
if we are low on free space).
So remove the assertion at populate_free_space_tree() even when the block
group tree feature is not enabled and update the comment to mention this
case.
Syzbot reported this with the following stack trace:
BTRFS info (device loop3 state M): rebuilding free space tree
assertion failed: ret == 0 :: 0, in fs/btrfs/free-space-tree.c:1115
------------[ cut here ]------------
kernel BUG at fs/btrfs/free-space-tree.c:1115!
Oops: invalid opcode: 0000 [#1] SMP KASAN PTI
CPU: 1 UID: 0 PID: 6352 Comm: syz.3.25 Not tainted syzkaller #0 PREEMPT(full)
Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 08/18/2025
RIP: 0010:populate_free_space_tree+0x700/0x710 fs/btrfs/free-space-tree.c:1115
Code: ff ff e8 d3 (...)
RSP: 0018:ffffc9000430f780 EFLAGS: 00010246
RAX: 0000000000000043 RBX: ffff88805b709630 RCX: fea61d0e2e79d000
RDX: 0000000000000000 RSI: 0000000080000000 RDI: 0000000000000000
RBP: ffffc9000430f8b0 R08: ffffc9000430f4a7 R09: 1ffff92000861e94
R10: dffffc0000000000 R11: fffff52000861e95 R12: 0000000000000001
R13: 1ffff92000861f00 R14: dffffc0000000000 R15: 0000000000000000
FS: 00007f424d9fe6c0(0000) GS:ffff888125afc000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000
CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033
CR2: 00007fd78ad212c0 CR3: 0000000076d68000 CR4: 00000000003526f0
Call Trace:
<TASK>
btrfs_rebuild_free_space_tree+0x1ba/0x6d0 fs/btrfs/free-space-tree.c:1364
btrfs_start_pre_rw_mount+0x128f/0x1bf0 fs/btrfs/disk-io.c:3062
btrfs_remount_rw fs/btrfs/super.c:1334 [inline]
btrfs_reconfigure+0xaed/0x2160 fs/btrfs/super.c:1559
reconfigure_super+0x227/0x890 fs/super.c:1076
do_remount fs/namespace.c:3279 [inline]
path_mount+0xd1a/0xfe0 fs/namespace.c:4027
do_mount fs/namespace.c:4048 [inline]
__do_sys_mount fs/namespace.c:4236 [inline]
__se_sys_mount+0x313/0x410 fs/namespace.c:4213
do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:63 [inline]
do_syscall_64+0xfa/0xfa0 arch/x86/entry/syscall_64.c:94
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f
RIP: 0033:0x7f424e39066a
Code: d8 64 89 02 (...)
RSP: 002b:00007f424d9fde68 EFLAGS: 00000246 ORIG_RAX: 00000000000000a5
RAX: ffffffffffffffda RBX: 00007f424d9fdef0 RCX: 00007f424e39066a
RDX: 0000200000000180 RSI: 0000200000000380 RDI: 0000000000000000
RBP: 0000200000000180 R08: 00007f424d9fdef0 R09: 0000000000000020
R10: 0000000000000020 R11: 0000000000000246 R12: 0000200000000380
R13: 00007f424d9fdeb0 R14: 0000000000000000 R15: 00002000000002c0
</TASK>
Modules linked in:
---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel Btrfs flaw can trigger a kernel BUG while rebuilding the Btrfs free space tree. In practical terms, an affected system using Btrfs may crash during specific filesystem operations. The source bundle does not show remote exploitation, active exploitation, or a CVSS score.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted kernel reliability risk for Btrfs environments. It is not currently supported as an internet-scale emergency, but affected production systems should receive normal kernel patch priority to reduce crash risk.
Technical view
The bug is an incorrect assertion in populate_free_space_tree() when a new Btrfs block group exists in the current transaction but its item is not yet in the extent tree. Syzbot triggered the assertion during remount/rebuild flow, causing an invalid opcode kernel BUG.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using Btrfs on affected kernel builds. Systems not using Btrfs are unlikely to be exposed through normal operation. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but distro-specific fixed package versions are not provided.
Exploitation context
The evidence is a syzbot-triggered kernel crash path, not confirmed real-world exploitation. KEV is false, and the bundle provides no public exploit status, weaponization evidence, or remote attack path.
Researcher notes
The root issue is a bad invariant assumption: an empty, newly created block group may not yet have an extent-tree block group item. The fix removes the assertion and updates comments. Severity remains uncertain because no CVSS, CWE, or exploitability assessment is included.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates that include the referenced Btrfs stable fixes.
Prioritize hosts using Btrfs, especially systems performing remounts or free space tree rebuilds.
If patch timing is unclear, check kernel and distro advisories for CVE-2025-40100.
Avoid unnecessary Btrfs free space tree rebuild operations until patched, where operationally practical.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux hosts for Btrfs filesystem usage.
Compare running kernel builds against vendor advisories for CVE-2025-40100.
Confirm applied kernels include one of the referenced stable commits or downstream equivalent.
Review crash logs for Btrfs free space tree rebuild BUG or assertion failures.
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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CVE-2025-40100 mapping review
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Oct 30, 2025, 09:48 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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