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

ext4: xattr: fix null pointer deref in ext4_raw_inode()

If ext4_get_inode_loc() fails (e.g. if it returns -EFSCORRUPTED),
iloc.bh will remain set to NULL. Since ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all()
lacks error checking, this will lead to a null pointer dereference
in ext4_raw_inode(), called right after ext4_get_inode_loc().

Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
Advisories

No advisories yet.

Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:45:00 +0000


Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Low


Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: xattr: fix null pointer deref in ext4_raw_inode() If ext4_get_inode_loc() fails (e.g. if it returns -EFSCORRUPTED), iloc.bh will remain set to NULL. Since ext4_xattr_inode_dec_ref_all() lacks error checking, this will lead to a null pointer dereference in ext4_raw_inode(), called right after ext4_get_inode_loc(). Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
Title ext4: xattr: fix null pointer deref in ext4_raw_inode()
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Projects

Sign in to view the affected projects.

cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-01-19T12:19:25.087Z

Reserved: 2025-12-24T10:30:51.048Z

Link: CVE-2025-68820

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-01-13T16:16:04.327

Modified: 2026-01-19T13:16:15.563

Link: CVE-2025-68820

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Low

Publid Date: 2026-01-13T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2025-68820 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

No data.

Weaknesses

No weakness.