Vulnerability in btrfs: fix anon_dev leak in create_subvol()

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

28/06/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2022-1002750: btrfs: fix anon_dev leak in create_subvol(). Affects Kernel versions < 7a875ad8706f0903a0e812e0dd701956ee9826ff. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The btrfs package is a file system for the Linux kernel that provides advanced features such as snapshots, pooling, and integrated device management. It is widely used in various Linux distributions. The create_subvol() function in btrfs is responsible for creating subvolumes, which are logical partitions within the file system. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in this function that can lead to an anon_dev leak.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability in create_subvol() allows an attacker to cause an anon_dev leak. An anon_dev is an anonymous device that represents a file or directory within the file system. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can create a large number of subvolumes, causing the system to run out of anon_dev resources. This can result in resource exhaustion, leading to a denial-of-service condition. The vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.18.3 by commit 7a875ad8706f0903a0e812e0dd701956ee9826ff.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.18.3 or later. This can be done by downloading the latest kernel source code from the official Linux Kernel repository (https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/) and compiling it according to the provided instructions. Once the updated kernel is installed, the vulnerability will be mitigated.

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Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to update the Linux Kernel to the fixed version.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the btrfs package in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to an anon_dev leak in the create_subvol() function. This vulnerability can be mitigated by updating the Linux Kernel to version v5.18.3 or later. For further assistance or support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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