CVE-2026-98080

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: do not force reloc root creation during qgroup_account_snapshot() [BUG] When running btrfs/252 with quota enabled through MKFS_OPTIONS="-O quota", it has a high chance to trigger the following kernel warning and flips the fs RO: BTRFS info (device dm-2): relocating block group 30408704 flags metadata|dup ------------[ cut here ]------------ WARNING: fs/btrfs/extent-tree.c:879 at lookup_inline_extent_backref+0x74b/0x960 [btrfs], CPU#4: btrfs/2173 CPU: 4 UID: 0 PID: 2173 Comm: btrfs Not tainted 7.2.0-rc6-custom+ #457 PREEMPT(full) 3adc6528fb66f7a55fe1095385818e742f200aab Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS unknown 02/02/2022 RIP: 0010:lookup_inline_extent_backref+0x74b/0x960 [btrfs] Call Trace: <TASK> insert_inline_extent_backref+0x7c/0x160 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] __btrfs_inc_extent_ref+0xa9/0x270 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] __btrfs_run_delayed_refs+0x4af/0x11c0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_run_delayed_refs+0x9d/0xf0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] create_pending_snapshot+0x39d/0xf00 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] create_pending_snapshots+0x9b/0xc0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_commit_transaction+0x280/0xeb0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] prepare_to_relocate+0x147/0x200 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] relocate_block_group+0x6b/0x5e0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_relocate_block_group+0x92c/0x2380 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_relocate_chunk+0x3f/0x1a0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_balance+0xa2c/0x19c0 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] btrfs_ioctl+0x2839/0x2d30 [btrfs 32f09462c54d9c922fca74a3e4866f4aa7737b72] __x64_sys_ioctl+0x416/0x9a0 do_syscall_64+0xe1/0x790 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 </TASK> ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- BTRFS info (device dm-2): leaf 4593991680 gen 233 total ptrs 175 free space 5953 owner 2 BTRFS info (device dm-2): refs 3 lock_owner 2173 current 2173 item 0 key (166772736 METADATA_ITEM 1) itemoff 16250 itemsize 33 extent refs 1 gen 222 flags 2 ref#0: tree block backref root 266 [ Skip the tree dump ] item 174 key (263225344 METADATA_ITEM 0) itemoff 10328 itemsize 33 extent refs 1 gen 162 flags 258 ref#0: tree block backref root 267 BTRFS error (device dm-2): extent item not found for insert, bytenr 179847168 num_bytes 16384 parent 4594335744 root_objectid 273 owner 0 offset 0 BTRFS error (device dm-2): failed to run delayed ref for logical 179847168 num_bytes 16384 type 182 action 1 ref_mod 1: -117 [CAUSE] The above error is showing that there is a tree reference to a metadata extent that is no longer there. With "ref_verify" mount option (requires CONFIG_BTRFS_DEBUG), there is some extra debug output: BTRFS error (device dm-2): dumping block entry [180961280 16384], num_refs 0, metadata 1, from disk 0 BTRFS error (device dm-2): root entry 256, num_refs 18446744073709551615 BTRFS error (device dm-2): root entry 273, num_refs 18446744073709551615 BTRFS error (device dm-2): Ref action 3, root 273, ref_root 273, parent 0, owner 0, offset 0, num_refs 1 btrfs_force_cow_block+0x129/0x7d0 [btrfs] btrfs_cow_block+0x10a/0x250 [btrfs] btrfs_search_slot+0x5eb/0xf40 [btrfs] btrfs_insert_empty_items+0x3a/0x70 [btrfs] insert_with_overflow+0x53/0x130 [btrfs] btrfs_insert_dir_item+0x125/0x290 [btrfs] btrfs_add_link+0xaa/0x410 [btrfs] btrfs_rename+0x5ea/0xcd0 [btrfs] btrfs_rename2+0x28/0x60 [btrfs] vfs_rename+0x5b2/0xe10 filename_renameat2+0x244/0x430 __x64_sys_rename+0x48/0x70 do_syscall_64+0xe1/0x790 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x4b/0x53 ---truncated---

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited locally on the machine with a low-privilege account. High risk of service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-09-25 11:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-19 10:18 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 5.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2026-09-25 11:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-19 10:18 UTC

Exploit probability

0.1% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-672

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Linux Kernel < 4.15
• Linux Kernel < 5.10.271
• Linux Kernel < 5.15.222
• Linux Kernel < 6.1.189
• Linux Kernel < 6.6.158
• Linux Kernel < 6.12.111
• Linux Kernel < 6.18.53
• Linux Kernel < 7.2.7

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 5.5

Attack vector

Local

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

None

Integrity

None

Availability

High

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2026-98080.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-98080. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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