CVE-2026-31666: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: fix incorrect return value after changing leaf in lookup_extent_data_ref()...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: fix incorrect return value after changing leaf in lookup_extent_data_ref() After commit 1618aa3c2e01 ("btrfs: simplify return variables in lookup_extent_data_ref()"), the err and ret variables were merged into a single ret variable. However, when btrfs_next_leaf() returns 0 (success), ret is overwritten from -ENOENT to 0. If the first key in the next leaf does not match (different objectid or type), the function returns 0 instead of -ENOENT, making the caller believe the lookup succeeded when it did not. This can lead to operations on the wrong extent tree item, potentially causing extent tree corruption. Fix this by returning -ENOENT directly when the key does not match, instead of relying on the ret variable.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.12%

2.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.10.1, < 6.12.82	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.13, < 6.18.23	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.19, < 6.19.13	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	6.10	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	7.0	Rc1

References

Timeline

Published: Apr 24, 2026
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-31666?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: fix incorrect return value after changing leaf in lookup_extent_data_ref() After commit 1618aa3c2e01 ("btrfs: simplify return variables in lookup_extent_data_ref()"), the err and ret variables were merged into a single ret variable. However, when btrfs_next_leaf() returns 0 (success), ret is overwritten from -ENOENT to 0. If the first key in the next leaf does not match (different objectid or type), the function returns 0 instead of -ENOENT, making the caller believe the lookup succeeded when it did not. This can lead to operations on the wrong extent tree item, potentially causing extent tree corruption. Fix this by returning -ENOENT directly when the key does not match, instead of relying on the ret variable.

How severe is CVE-2026-31666?

CVE-2026-31666 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.12% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2026-31666?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.