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CVE Record

CVE-2026-43187: xfs: delete attr leaf freemap entries when empty

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xfs: delete attr leaf freemap entries when empty Back in commit 2a2b5932db6758 ("xfs: fix attr leaf header freemap.size underflow"), Brian Foster observed that it's possible for a small freemap at the end of the end of the xattr entries array to experience a size underflow when subtracting the space consumed by an expansion of the entries array. There are only three freemap entries, which means that it is not a complete index of all free space in the leaf block. This code can leave behind a zero-length freemap entry with a nonzero base. Subsequent setxattr operations can increase the base up to the point that it overlaps with another freemap entry. This isn't in and of itself a problem because the code in _leaf_add that finds free space ignores any freemap entry with zero size. However, there's another bug in the freemap update code in _leaf_add, which is that it fails to update a freemap entry that begins midway through the xattr entry that was just appended to the array. That can result in the freemap containing two entries with the same base but different sizes (0 for the "pushed-up" entry, nonzero for the entry that's actually tracking free space). A subsequent _leaf_add can then allocate xattr namevalue entries on top of the entries array, leading to data loss. But fixing that is for later. For now, eliminate the possibility of confusion by zeroing out the base of any freemap entry that has zero size. Because the freemap is not intended to be a complete index of free space, a subsequent failure to find any free space for a new xattr will trigger block compaction, which regenerates the freemap. It looks like this bug has been in the codebase for quite a long time.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A flaw in Linux’s XFS extended-attribute bookkeeping can cause metadata areas to overlap during later attribute updates, potentially corrupting or losing data. The supplied CVSS score is 8.8, but practical exposure requires an affected kernel, an XFS filesystem, and the ability to perform relevant extended-attribute operations.

Executive priority

Schedule expedited remediation for affected XFS systems, prioritizing externally reachable or multi-user workloads and systems holding important data. The potential impact includes confidentiality, integrity, and availability loss, but active exploitation is not established. Ensure recoverable backups before maintenance and validate that the corrected kernel is actually running.

Technical view

Zero-length XFS attribute-leaf free-space entries could retain nonzero offsets. Repeated setxattr processing could move those offsets until duplicate free-map bases exist, after which allocation may overwrite the attribute-entry array. The published correction clears the base whenever a free-map entry’s size becomes zero; normal compaction can later rebuild the map.

Likely exposure

Prioritize Linux systems using XFS on versions identified as affected in the CVE record, particularly where low-privileged users or services can modify extended attributes. Systems not using XFS are outside the described code path. The supplied version data is unusually structured, so confirm exposure against distribution advisories and the cited stable commits.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the supplied bundle, and no provided source reports active exploitation or a public exploit. The CVSS vector indicates low privileges, no user interaction, and network reachability, while the technical description specifically depends on setxattr activity against XFS. Treat exploitability details beyond that as unconfirmed.

Researcher notes

The correction removes stale bases from zero-sized free-map entries rather than making the three-entry map complete; block compaction regenerates it when allocation cannot find space. The disclosure separately acknowledges another _leaf_add update defect and says its fix is deferred. Do not assume this patch resolves every XFS attribute free-map inconsistency.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable cited XFS stable fix.
  • Prioritize XFS hosts where untrusted users or exposed services can modify extended attributes.
  • If immediate patching is impossible, reduce untrusted access capable of changing XFS extended attributes.
  • Preserve backups and follow vendor guidance for assessing potentially affected XFS filesystems.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions and identify mounted filesystems using XFS.
  • Map each running kernel to its distributor advisory or applicable cited stable commit.
  • Confirm the updated kernel is running after installation and reboot.
  • Review filesystem and application evidence for unexplained extended-attribute corruption or data loss.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

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-2026-43187 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/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
0ADP providers
9Source 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
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-43187Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.12, 0, 5.10.252, 5.15.202, 6.1.165, 6.6.128, 6.12.75, 6.18.16, 6.19.6, 7.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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