CVE-2026-23145 ext4: fix iloc.bh leak in ext4_xattr_inode_update_ref
A memory leak in the Linux kernel ext4 filesystem can lead to resource exhaustion and denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-23145?
CVE-2026-23145 is a medium-severity denial of service vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 14 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ext4: fix iloc.bh leak in ext4_xattr_inode_update_ref
The error branch for ext4_xattr_inode_update_ref forget to release the refcount for iloc.bh. Find this when review code.
Weakness: CWE-401
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-23145?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-23145?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade, then put limits on request size, rate and nesting depth so one client cannot exhaust the service. More about Denial of service.
Is CVE-2026-23145 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-23145 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-23145, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-23145, GHSA-4vx7-fj8p-qpj9, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2026-23145, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2404-CVE-2026-23145, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-23145.