CVE-2026-74572: btrfs: zoned: fix deadlock between metadata writeback and transaction commit

Published Aug 15, 2026
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

btrfs: zoned: fix deadlock between metadata writeback and transaction commit

When writing out metadata extent buffers in a zoned filesystem, btreewritepages() holds fsinfo->zonedmetaiolock across the whole writeback loop, including the call to btrfscheckmetawritepointer() -> checkbgisactive().

For the tree-log block group, checkbgisactive() may fail to activate the zone and fall back to btrfszonefinishonebg() to free an active zone. That path waits for the running transaction to commit while still holding zonedmetaiolock, but the committer needs that same lock to write out the tree extents, so the two tasks deadlock:

Task A (kworker, metadata writeback) Task B (fsstress, transaction commit) ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------- wbworkfn() btrfscommittransaction(T) btreewritepages() btrfswriteandwaittransaction() btrfszonedmetaiolock() btrfswritemarkedextents() btrfscheckmetawritepointer() btreewritepages() checkbgisactive() [treelogbg] btrfszonedmetaiolock() btrfszonefinishonebg() <blocks on zonedmetaiolock, btrfszonefinish() held by Task A> dozonefinish() btrfsincblockgroupro() btrfswaitforcommit() <blocks waiting for commit of transaction T, done by Task B>

The sibling branch in checkbgisactive() already drops zonedmetaiolock around dozonefinish() for this exact reason. Do the same in the tree-log branch: release the lock around btrfszonefinishonebg() and re-acquire it afterwards. The lock only protects fsinfo->active{meta,system}bg, which this branch does not touch, and ctx->zonedbg keeps a reference to the block group across the unlock, so nothing is lost while the lock is dropped.

This hang occasionally reproduces with fstests generic/475 on a zoned btrfs filesystem.

Affected Software

1 affected component
Linux Kernel

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch btrfs: zoned: fix deadlock between metadata writeback and transaction commit

Event History

Aug 15, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:28 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:28 PM
Description
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-74572?

The severity of CVE-2026-74572 is classified as risk 37.

2

How do I fix CVE-2026-74572?

To fix CVE-2026-74572, you should update your Linux kernel to the latest version where this vulnerability has been resolved.

3

What impact does CVE-2026-74572 have on system performance?

CVE-2026-74572 can lead to deadlocks during metadata writeback, potentially causing system performance degradation.

4

Is CVE-2026-74572 exploitable remotely?

CVE-2026-74572 is primarily a local filesystem issue and requires local access to exploit.

5

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-74572?

CVE-2026-74572 affects systems using the btrfs filesystem within the Linux kernel.

Contact

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