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Linux Kernel CVE-2026-23238

MEDIUM
Reachable Assertion (CWE-617)
2026-03-04 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
5.5
CVSS 3.1
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CVSS VectorNVD

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
None
Availability
High

Lifecycle Timeline

4
Patch released
Apr 09, 2026 - 20:30 nvd
Patch available
PoC Detected
Mar 17, 2026 - 21:15 vuln.today
Public exploit code
Analysis Generated
Mar 12, 2026 - 22:05 vuln.today
CVE Published
Mar 04, 2026 - 15:16 nvd
MEDIUM 5.5

DescriptionNVD

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

romfs: check sb_set_blocksize() return value

romfs_fill_super() ignores the return value of sb_set_blocksize(), which can fail if the requested block size is incompatible with the block device's configuration.

This can be triggered by setting a loop device's block size larger than PAGE_SIZE using ioctl(LOOP_SET_BLOCK_SIZE, 32768), then mounting a romfs filesystem on that device.

When sb_set_blocksize(sb, ROMBSIZE) is called with ROMBSIZE=4096 but the device has logical_block_size=32768, bdev_validate_blocksize() fails because the requested size is smaller than the device's logical block size. sb_set_blocksize() returns 0 (failure), but romfs ignores this and continues mounting.

The superblock's block size remains at the device's logical block size (32768). Later, when sb_bread() attempts I/O with this oversized block size, it triggers a kernel BUG in folio_set_bh():

kernel BUG at fs/buffer.c:1582! BUG_ON(size > PAGE_SIZE);

Fix by checking the return value of sb_set_blocksize() and failing the mount with -EINVAL if it returns 0.

AnalysisAI

The Linux kernel's romfs filesystem fails to validate the return value of sb_set_blocksize(), allowing a local attacker with user privileges to trigger a denial of service by mounting a romfs image on a loop device configured with an incompatible block size. Public exploit code exists for this vulnerability. …

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RemediationAI

Within 30 days: Identify affected systems and apply vendor patches as part of regular patch cycle. Monitor vendor channels for patch availability.

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CVE-2026-23238 vulnerability details – vuln.today

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