CVE-2025-68807 Details
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: block: fix race between wbt_enable_default and IO submission When wbt_enable_default() is moved out of queue freezing in elevator_change(), it can cause the wbt inflight counter to become negative (-1), leading to hung tasks in the writeback path. Tasks get stuck in wbt_wait() because the counter is in an inconsistent state. The issue occurs because wbt_enable_default() could race with IO submission, allowing the counter to be decremented before proper initialization. This manifests as: rq_wait[0]: inflight: -1 has_waiters: True rwb_enabled() checks the state, which can be updated exactly between wbt_wait() (rq_qos_throttle()) and wbt_track()(rq_qos_track()), then the inflight counter will become negative. And results in hung task warnings like: task:kworker/u24:39 state:D stack:0 pid:14767 Call Trace: rq_qos_wait+0xb4/0x150 wbt_wait+0xa9/0x100 __rq_qos_throttle+0x24/0x40 blk_mq_submit_bio+0x672/0x7b0 ... Fix this by: 1. Splitting wbt_enable_default() into: - __wbt_enable_default(): Returns true if wbt_init() should be called - wbt_enable_default(): Wrapper for existing callers (no init) - wbt_init_enable_default(): New function that checks and inits WBT 2. Using wbt_init_enable_default() in blk_register_queue() to ensure proper initialization during queue registration 3. Move wbt_init() out of wbt_enable_default() which is only for enabling disabled wbt from bfq and iocost, and wbt_init() isn't needed. Then the original lock warning can be avoided. 4. Removing the ELEVATOR_FLAG_ENABLE_WBT_ON_EXIT flag and its handling code since it's no longer needed This ensures WBT is properly initialized before any IO can be submitted, preventing the counter from going negative.
A race condition vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel's writeback throttling (WBT) mechanism. This issue arises when the function 'wbt_enable_default()' is executed outside of the queue freezing process, leading to the WBT inflight counter becoming negative. This negative value causes tasks in the writeback path to hang, as they become stuck waiting for a condition that can no longer be satisfied. The vulnerability occurs because 'wbt_enable_default()' can conflict with I/O operations, allowing the counter to decrease before it is properly initialized. As a result, the system may generate warnings about hung tasks, indicating a disruption in normal processing.
The vulnerability has been addressed in the Linux kernel. Users can apply the latest patches available in the Linux kernel stable tree to mitigate this issue.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Jan 13, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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| URL | Source(s) | Tag(s) |
|---|---|---|
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9869d3a6fed381f3b98404e26e1afc75d680cbf9 | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
| https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f55201fb3becff6a903fd29f4d1147cc7e91eb0c | kernel.org | Source CodeVendor |
Weakness Enumeration
No weakness enumeration is available for this CVE.
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Linux kernel | All versions |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | CVE Modified | kernel.org |
| Jan 13, 2026 | New CVE Received | kernel.org |
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