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CVE Record

CVE-2025-71194: btrfs: fix deadlock in wait_current_trans() due to ignored transaction type

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: fix deadlock in wait_current_trans() due to ignored transaction type When wait_current_trans() is called during start_transaction(), it currently waits for a blocked transaction without considering whether the given transaction type actually needs to wait for that particular transaction state. The btrfs_blocked_trans_types[] array already defines which transaction types should wait for which transaction states, but this check was missing in wait_current_trans(). This can lead to a deadlock scenario involving two transactions and pending ordered extents: 1. Transaction A is in TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_DOING state 2. A worker processing an ordered extent calls start_transaction() with TRANS_JOIN 3. join_transaction() returns -EBUSY because Transaction A is in TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_DOING 4. Transaction A moves to TRANS_STATE_UNBLOCKED and completes 5. A new Transaction B is created (TRANS_STATE_RUNNING) 6. The ordered extent from step 2 is added to Transaction B's pending ordered extents 7. Transaction B immediately starts commit by another task and enters TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_START 8. The worker finally reaches wait_current_trans(), sees Transaction B in TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_START (a blocked state), and waits unconditionally 9. However, TRANS_JOIN should NOT wait for TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_START according to btrfs_blocked_trans_types[] 10. Transaction B is waiting for pending ordered extents to complete 11. Deadlock: Transaction B waits for ordered extent, ordered extent waits for Transaction B This can be illustrated by the following call stacks: CPU0 CPU1 btrfs_finish_ordered_io() start_transaction(TRANS_JOIN) join_transaction() # -EBUSY (Transaction A is # TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_DOING) # Transaction A completes # Transaction B created # ordered extent added to # Transaction B's pending list btrfs_commit_transaction() # Transaction B enters # TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_START # waiting for pending ordered # extents wait_current_trans() # waits for Transaction B # (should not wait!) Task bstore_kv_sync in btrfs_commit_transaction waiting for ordered extents: __schedule+0x2e7/0x8a0 schedule+0x64/0xe0 btrfs_commit_transaction+0xbf7/0xda0 [btrfs] btrfs_sync_file+0x342/0x4d0 [btrfs] __x64_sys_fdatasync+0x4b/0x80 do_syscall_64+0x33/0x40 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xa9 Task kworker in wait_current_trans waiting for transaction commit: Workqueue: btrfs-syno_nocow btrfs_work_helper [btrfs] __schedule+0x2e7/0x8a0 schedule+0x64/0xe0 wait_current_trans+0xb0/0x110 [btrfs] start_transaction+0x346/0x5b0 [btrfs] btrfs_finish_ordered_io.isra.0+0x49b/0x9c0 [btrfs] btrfs_work_helper+0xe8/0x350 [btrfs] process_one_work+0x1d3/0x3c0 worker_thread+0x4d/0x3e0 kthread+0x12d/0x150 ret_from_fork+0x1f/0x30 Fix this by passing the transaction type to wait_current_trans() and checking btrfs_blocked_trans_types[cur_trans->state] against the given type before deciding to wait. This ensures that transaction types which are allowed to join during certain blocked states will not unnecessarily wait and cause deadlocks.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2025-71194 is a Linux kernel btrfs bug that can deadlock filesystem transactions. Affected systems may hang during file synchronization or ordered I/O, creating an availability risk rather than a data theft risk based on current sources.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted availability issue for btrfs-dependent systems. Prioritize storage-heavy servers, backup platforms, and appliances where filesystem hangs would disrupt operations. Broader enterprise urgency is lower if btrfs is not used.

Technical view

The btrfs wait_current_trans() path ignored transaction type when deciding whether to wait on blocked transaction states. TRANS_JOIN could wait on TRANS_STATE_COMMIT_START even though btrfs_blocked_trans_types says it should not, causing a deadlock between transaction commit and pending ordered extents.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using btrfs. Systems not using btrfs are unlikely to be affected by this specific bug. The public record lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but distribution-specific affected ranges require vendor confirmation.

Exploitation context

No CISA KEV listing or cited source indicates active exploitation. The described impact is a deadlock under specific btrfs transaction timing involving ordered extents and transaction commits. Sources do not describe remote exploitation or privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

The CVE record provides a detailed race/deadlock scenario and multiple stable kernel commit references. It does not provide CVSS, CWE, proof of active exploitation, or distro-specific package status. Validate exposure through actual btrfs use and kernel lineage.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor-provided Linux kernel updates containing the referenced stable btrfs fixes.
  • Prioritize servers and appliances actively using btrfs filesystems.
  • Plan required reboots or maintenance windows after kernel replacement.
  • If no vendor package is available, follow kernel stable guidance for the referenced fixes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts using btrfs filesystems.
  • Compare running kernel packages against vendor advisories for CVE-2025-71194.
  • Confirm the applicable stable fix commit is present in deployed kernels.
  • Review logs for hung tasks in btrfs_commit_transaction or wait_current_trans.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

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-2025-71194 mapping review

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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
1ADP providers
8Source 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
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162d, 4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162d, 4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162d, 4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162d, 4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162d, 4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162d, 4a9d8bdee368de78ace8b36da4eb2186afea162dunaffected
LinuxLinux3.11, 0, 5.10.249, 5.15.199, 6.1.162, 6.6.122, 6.12.67, 6.18.7, 6.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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