In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
blk-cgroup: fix race between policy activation and blkg destruction
When switching an IO scheduler on a block device, blkcg_activate_policy() allocates blkg_policy_data (pd) for all blkgs attached to the queue. However, blkcg_activate_policy() may race with concurrent blkcg deletion, leading to use-after-free and memory leak issues.
The use-after-free occurs in the following race:
T1 (blkcg_activate_policy): - Successfully allocates pd for blkg1 (loop0->queue, blkcgA) - Fails to allocate pd for blkg2 (loop0->queue, blkcgB) - Enters the enomem rollback path to release blkg1 resources
T2 (blkcg deletion): - blkcgA is deleted concurrently - blkg1 is freed via blkg_free_workfn() - blkg1->pd is freed
T1 (continued): - Rollback path accesses blkg1->pd->online after pd is freed - Triggers use-after-free
In addition, blkg_free_workfn() frees pd before removing the blkg from q->blkg_list. This allows blkcg_activate_policy() to allocate a new pd for a blkg that is being destroyed, leaving the newly allocated pd unreachable when the blkg is finally freed.
Fix these races by extending blkcg_mutex coverage to serialize blkcg_activate_policy() rollback and blkg destruction, ensuring pd lifecycle is synchronized with blkg list visibility.
Prioritise with Active Threat Intelligence
With curated Threat Intelligence, you can see which vulnerabilities truly put you at risk, prioritize what matters most, and act before attackers do.
Explore Intelligence Hub