Track vulnerabilities like this one.
Sign up free to get alerted when software you use is affected.
Linux kernel ext4 may write unencrypted data
published 2 months ago
Summary
The Linux kernel's ext4 file system could store new encrypted files without encryption when the "dax=always" option is used. This means sensitive data might be exposed in clear text. Updating to a kernel version newer than 6.6.157.1-1 resolves the problem.
What to do
- Update kernel to version 6.6.157.1-1.
Affected software
| Ecosystem | Vendor | Product | Affected versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Linux:3 | azure | kernel | <= 6.6.150.1-1 |
| Azure Linux:3 | – | kernel |
<= 6.6.152.1-1 < 6.6.157.1-1 Fix: upgrade to 6.6.157.1-1
|
Original advisory text
CVE-2026-80806 affecting package kernel for versions less than 6.6.157.1-1
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ext4: don't enable DAX on new encrypted files
Currently, when a new encrypted regular file is created, the call to
ext4_set_inode_flags(inode, init=true) in __ext4_new_inode() is made
before EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT is set. As a result, it can set S_DAX if the
filesystem is mounted with "-o dax=always".
EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT then actually gets set a bit later in
__ext4_new_inode(), when it calls fscrypt_set_context() which calls
ext4_set_context(). ext4_set_context() sets EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT and
calls ext4_set_inode_flags(inode, init=false) to set S_ENCRYPTED too.
This was intended to clear S_DAX as well. However, this was broken by
commit 043546e46dc7 ("fs/ext4: Only change S_DAX on inode load"). This
causes data written to the file to bypass encryption, also causing
xfstests failures such as generic/548 (when "-o dax=always" is used).
Fix this by simplifying the flow by making __ext4_new_inode() set
EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT earlier. This makes it take effect in
ext4_set_inode_flags(inode, init=true), making S_DAX never be set.
Similarly, make EXT4_STATE_MAY_INLINE_DATA never be set in the first
place on new encrypted inodes. Then it doesn't need to be cleared.
As a result of these simplifications, ext4_set_context() no longer needs
to change inode flags or state when 'handle != NULL'. Remove that too.
ext4: don't enable DAX on new encrypted files
Currently, when a new encrypted regular file is created, the call to
ext4_set_inode_flags(inode, init=true) in __ext4_new_inode() is made
before EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT is set. As a result, it can set S_DAX if the
filesystem is mounted with "-o dax=always".
EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT then actually gets set a bit later in
__ext4_new_inode(), when it calls fscrypt_set_context() which calls
ext4_set_context(). ext4_set_context() sets EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT and
calls ext4_set_inode_flags(inode, init=false) to set S_ENCRYPTED too.
This was intended to clear S_DAX as well. However, this was broken by
commit 043546e46dc7 ("fs/ext4: Only change S_DAX on inode load"). This
causes data written to the file to bypass encryption, also causing
xfstests failures such as generic/548 (when "-o dax=always" is used).
Fix this by simplifying the flow by making __ext4_new_inode() set
EXT4_INODE_ENCRYPT earlier. This makes it take effect in
ext4_set_inode_flags(inode, init=true), making S_DAX never be set.
Similarly, make EXT4_STATE_MAY_INLINE_DATA never be set in the first
place on new encrypted inodes. Then it doesn't need to be cleared.
As a result of these simplifications, ext4_set_context() no longer needs
to change inode flags or state when 'handle != NULL'. Remove that too.
References
Timeline
Published4 Sep 2026
Updated2 Oct 2026
First seen23 Sep 2026
Sources
AZL-99669 · OSV
Track software like this
Free during beta