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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23355: ata: libata: cancel pending work after clearing deferred_qc

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ata: libata: cancel pending work after clearing deferred_qc Syzbot reported a WARN_ON() in ata_scsi_deferred_qc_work(), caused by ap->ops->qc_defer() returning non-zero before issuing the deferred qc. ata_scsi_schedule_deferred_qc() is called during each command completion. This function will check if there is a deferred QC, and if ap->ops->qc_defer() returns zero, meaning that it is possible to queue the deferred qc at this time (without being deferred), then it will queue the work which will issue the deferred qc. Once the work get to run, which can potentially be a very long time after the work was scheduled, there is a WARN_ON() if ap->ops->qc_defer() returns non-zero. While we hold the ap->lock both when assigning and clearing deferred_qc, and the work itself holds the ap->lock, the code currently does not cancel the work after clearing the deferred qc. This means that the following scenario can happen: 1) One or several NCQ commands are queued. 2) A non-NCQ command is queued, gets stored in ap->deferred_qc. 3) Last NCQ command gets completed, work is queued to issue the deferred qc. 4) Timeout or error happens, ap->deferred_qc is cleared. The queued work is currently NOT canceled. 5) Port is reset. 6) One or several NCQ commands are queued. 7) A non-NCQ command is queued, gets stored in ap->deferred_qc. 8) Work is finally run. Yet at this time, there is still NCQ commands in flight. The work in 8) really belongs to the non-NCQ command in 2), not to the non-NCQ command in 7). The reason why the work is executed when it is not supposed to, is because it was never canceled when ap->deferred_qc was cleared in 4). Thus, ensure that we always cancel the work after clearing ap->deferred_qc. Another potential fix would have been to let ata_scsi_deferred_qc_work() do nothing if ap->ops->qc_defer() returns non-zero. However, canceling the work when clearing ap->deferred_qc seems slightly more logical, as we hold the ap->lock when clearing ap->deferred_qc, so we know that the work cannot be holding the lock. (The function could be waiting for the lock, but that is okay since it will do nothing if ap->deferred_qc is not set.)

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel storage-driver bug in libata. Under specific ATA command timing, stale deferred work can run after a timeout or reset, causing an internal kernel warning and incorrect command scheduling state. The sources do not provide CVSS, impact severity, or evidence of real-world exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a kernel reliability issue requiring normal patch-management attention, not an emergency exploitation event based on current evidence. Prioritize high-availability Linux systems and storage-sensitive workloads once vendor fixed builds are available.

Technical view

The flaw is a race/state-management issue around ap->deferred_qc and ata_scsi_deferred_qc_work(). Work queued for an earlier deferred non-NCQ command may survive clearing of deferred_qc and later run against a different deferred command while NCQ commands are in flight. The fix cancels pending work after deferred_qc is cleared.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel revisions with libata ATA/SATA storage paths. The provided data lists Linux kernel commit identifiers and stable kernel references, but does not map exposure to specific distributions or packaged kernel builds.

Exploitation context

The bundle states KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or public exploit use. The described trigger depends on kernel storage command timing involving NCQ, non-NCQ commands, timeout or error handling, and port reset behavior.

Researcher notes

Evidence is strongest for root cause and patch direction, because the source text describes the failing scenario and fix. Evidence is incomplete for exploitability, privilege requirements, confidentiality impact, integrity impact, and distribution-level affected versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor-supported Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for package names and fixed kernel builds.
  • Prioritize systems using ATA/SATA storage paths where kernel reliability matters.
  • Do not deploy ad hoc kernel patches outside normal change control.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and vendor package release levels.
  • Check whether the referenced stable commits are present in deployed kernel source or changelog.
  • Review kernel logs for related libata warnings after storage timeouts or resets.
  • Confirm vendor advisories before classifying distribution-specific exposure.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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
5Source 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

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxce22aaed011206fed9cbd8c9c2d44718607f31ee, 888cd7e40adb2ef4af1b4d3b6e2e83ad409ae8c2, 5d61a38a60e62750526d94663b69b7ac5c7f07a5, 0ea84089dbf62a92dc7889c79e6b18fc89260808, 33abac5b5a5303ba2c66d89e063a806033be07fc, 21e0d7a15a789e99be89231dae25cb6ffc482a7cunaffected
LinuxLinux6.18.14, 6.19.4unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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