CVE-2026-31452: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: convert inline data to extents when truncate exceeds inline size Add a check in ext4

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: convert inline data to extents when truncate exceeds inline size Add a check in ext4

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: convert inline data to extents when truncate exceeds inline size Add a check in ext4_setattr() to convert files from inline data storage to extent-based storage when truncate() grows the file size beyond the inline capacity. This prevents the filesystem from entering an inconsistent state where the inline data flag is set but the file size exceeds what can be stored inline. Without this fix, the following sequence causes a kernel BUG_ON(): 1. Mount filesystem with inode that has inline flag set and small size 2. truncate(file, 50MB) - grows size but inline flag remains set 3. sendfile() attempts to write data 4. ext4_write_inline_data() hits BUG_ON(write_size > inline_capacity) The crash occurs because ext4_write_inline_data() expects inline storage to accommodate the write, but the actual inline capacity (~60 bytes for i_block + ~96 bytes for xattrs) is far smaller than the file size and write request. The fix checks if the new size from setattr exceeds the inode's actual inline capacity (EXT4_I(inode)->i_inline_size) and converts the file to extent-based storage before proceeding with the size change.

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

What it means for a small business

Linux is on the computers, phones or browsers your team uses every day. Turn on automatic updates and restart: most of these fixes only take effect after a restart.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.14%, higher than 2% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 29, 2026, updated daily.

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Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

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