CVE-2026-97543 xfs: destroy seen inode bitmap when we fail to add a dirpath
A memory leak in the XFS filesystem allows local attackers to cause denial of service by triggering specific directory path errors.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-97543?
CVE-2026-97543 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 25 Sep 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:
xfs: destroy seen inode bitmap when we fail to add a dirpath
LOLLM observes a memory leak in xchk_dirtree_create_path if we create the directory path object but appending the name to the path fails. When this happens, we don't tear down the (empty) seen inode bitmap. This is a pretty trivial error, but let's not leave logic bombs.
Do the same for a similar bug in xrep_dirtree_create_adoption_path.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-97543?
How do I fix CVE-2026-97543?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-97543 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-97543 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2026-97543, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97543, GHSA-jm9w-mmf5-g697, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-97543.