CVE-2026-23168
Vulnerability Scoring
Status: Awaiting Analysis
Last updated: 🕠 18 Feb 2026, 17:52 UTC
Originally published on: 🕓 14 Feb 2026, 16:15 UTC
Time between publication and last update: 4 days
CVSS Release:
CVE-2026-23168: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: flex_proportions: make fprop_new_period() hardirq safe Bernd has reported a lockdep splat from flexible proportions code that is essentially complaining about the following race: <timer fires> run_timer_softirq - we are in softirq context call_timer_fn writeout_period fprop_new_period write_seqcount_begin(&p->sequence); <hardirq is raised> ... blk_mq_end_request() blk_update_request() ext4_end_bio() folio_end_writeback() __wb_writeout_add() __fprop_add_percpu_max() if (unlikely(max_frac < FPROP_FRAC_BASE)) { fprop_fraction_percpu() seq = read_seqcount_begin(&p->sequence); - sees odd sequence so loops indefinitely Note that a deadlock like this is only possible if the bdi has configured maximum fraction of writeout throughput which is very rare in general but frequent for example for FUSE bdis. To fix this problem we have to make sure write section of the sequence counter is irqsafe.
The exploitability of CVE-2026-23168 depends on two key factors: attack complexity (the level of effort required to execute an exploit) and privileges required (the access level an attacker needs).
No exploitability data is available for CVE-2026-23168.
A lower complexity and fewer privilege requirements make exploitation easier. Security teams should evaluate these aspects to determine the urgency of mitigation strategies, such as patch management and access control policies.
Attack Complexity (AC) measures the difficulty in executing an exploit. A high AC means that specific conditions must be met, making an attack more challenging, while a low AC means the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort.
Privileges Required (PR) determine the level of system access necessary for an attack. Vulnerabilities requiring no privileges are more accessible to attackers, whereas high privilege requirements limit exploitation to authorized users with elevated access.
Above is the CVSS Sub-score Breakdown for CVE-2026-23168, illustrating how Base, Impact, and Exploitability factors combine to form the overall severity rating. A higher sub-score typically indicates a more severe or easier-to-exploit vulnerability.
Below is the Impact Analysis for CVE-2026-23168, showing how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability might be affected if the vulnerability is exploited. Higher values usually signal greater potential damage.
Unknown
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