0.0
NA
CVE-2026-90261
btrfs: zoned: flush active metadata block group at btree_writepages() start
Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: zoned: flush active metadata block group at btree_writepages() start btree_writepages() writes the btree inode's dirty metadata in ascending logical address order. On a zoned filesystem only one metadata and one system block group is active for writing at a time, and check_bg_is_active() (via btrfs_check_meta_write_pointer()) pivots the active block group as writeback moves from one block group to the next. If the active block group sits at a higher logical address than another block group that also holds dirty metadata, the ascending walk reaches the lower one first and, to write it, has to finish the active block group and activate the lower one. It cannot finish a block group that still has unsent IO, and during WB_SYNC_ALL && !for_sync (commit) writeback it deliberately refuses to wait for that IO under fs_info->zoned_meta_io_lock, as that can deadlock. The pivot thus cannot issue the submission itself either, so it gives up: btrfs_check_meta_write_pointer() returns -EAGAIN, which btrfs_write_and_wait_transaction() treats as fatal and aborts the transaction, forcing the filesystem read-only. This happens intermittently under metadata-heavy relocation (e.g. fstests btrfs/187). Flush the active metadata and system block groups at the start of btree_writepages(), under the fs_info->zoned_meta_io_lock it already holds, so they have no unsent IO left and the later pivot can finish them and make forward progress.

INFO

Published Date :

Sept. 17, 2026, 5:17 p.m.

Last Modified :

Sept. 17, 2026, 5:17 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No

Source :

416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2026-90261 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

ID Vendor Product Action
1 Linux linux_kernel
Solution
Flush active metadata and system block groups to prevent filesystem read-only state.
  • Ensure btrfs kernel modules are updated.
  • Apply patches addressing the btrfs zoned metadata flush issue.
  • Test filesystem stability after applying updates.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to CVE-2026-90261.

URL Resource
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2de2989adb3e58c2320e57c255f52e065667b5e
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ecc05eda9a346848ae01a6c8bfa3f0bec133bd8b
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration

While CVE identifies specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-90261 is associated with the following CWEs:

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)

Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC) stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-90261 weaknesses.

We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).

Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.

The following list is the news that have been mention CVE-2026-90261 vulnerability anywhere in the article.

The following table lists the changes that have been made to the CVE-2026-90261 vulnerability over time.

Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.

  • New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

    Sep. 17, 2026

    Action Type Old Value New Value
    Added Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: zoned: flush active metadata block group at btree_writepages() start btree_writepages() writes the btree inode's dirty metadata in ascending logical address order. On a zoned filesystem only one metadata and one system block group is active for writing at a time, and check_bg_is_active() (via btrfs_check_meta_write_pointer()) pivots the active block group as writeback moves from one block group to the next. If the active block group sits at a higher logical address than another block group that also holds dirty metadata, the ascending walk reaches the lower one first and, to write it, has to finish the active block group and activate the lower one. It cannot finish a block group that still has unsent IO, and during WB_SYNC_ALL && !for_sync (commit) writeback it deliberately refuses to wait for that IO under fs_info->zoned_meta_io_lock, as that can deadlock. The pivot thus cannot issue the submission itself either, so it gives up: btrfs_check_meta_write_pointer() returns -EAGAIN, which btrfs_write_and_wait_transaction() treats as fatal and aborts the transaction, forcing the filesystem read-only. This happens intermittently under metadata-heavy relocation (e.g. fstests btrfs/187). Flush the active metadata and system block groups at the start of btree_writepages(), under the fs_info->zoned_meta_io_lock it already holds, so they have no unsent IO left and the later pivot can finish them and make forward progress.
    Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/90xxx/CVE-2026-90261.json">CVE-2026-90261</a>
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e2de2989adb3e58c2320e57c255f52e065667b5e
    Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ecc05eda9a346848ae01a6c8bfa3f0bec133bd8b
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.