SB20261022114 - Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity in Linux kernel fs

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Main Vulnerability Database SB20261022114

SB20261022114 - Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity in Linux kernel fs

Published: October 22, 2026

Security Bulletin ID SB20261022114
CSH Severity
Low
Patch available
YES
Number of vulnerabilities 1
Exploitation vector Local access
Highest impact Denial of service

Breakdown by Severity

Low 100%
  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Critical

Description

This security bulletin contains information about 1 vulnerability.


1) Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity (CVE-ID: CVE-2026-98538)

CWE-ID: CWE-407 - Inefficient Algorithmic Complexity

CVSSv4: 6.8 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N]


The vulnerability allows a local user to cause a denial of service through excessive CPU consumption and soft lockups.

The vulnerability exists due to inefficient algorithmic complexity in cleanup_offline_cgwb() in fs/fs-writeback.c when draining inode lists associated with a dying cgroup writeback instance. A local user can trigger cleanup involving a large number of attached inodes to cause repeated rescanning under wb->list_lock, resulting in quadratic processing time and CPU soft lockups.


Remediation

Install update from vendor's website.

References