[PATCH] smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()

[PATCH] smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()

[Fredric Cover]

When free_tgts() frees all structures in ce->tlist, ce->tgthint
is left pointing to one of the freed cache_dfs_tgt structures.

If ce->tgthint is not reset before it is used later, it results
in a use-after-free.

Set ce->tgthint to NULL in free_tgts() after the elements are
freed to reflect that no elements remain.

Fixes: 54be1f6c1c37 ("cifs: Add DFS cache routines")
Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org
Signed-off-by: Fredric Cover <fredric.cover.lkernel@gmail.com>
---
 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
index 8cd93cd2f00f..451550eb4023 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
@@ -122,6 +122,8 @@ static inline void free_tgts(struct cache_entry *ce)
 		kfree(t->name);
 		kfree(t);
 	}
+
+	WRITE_ONCE(ce->tgthint, NULL);
 }
 
 static inline void flush_cache_ent(struct cache_entry *ce)
-- 
2.53.0

[PATCH v2 0/2] smb: client: fix dangling pointer in DFS target hints

[Fredric Cover]

This series addresses a Use-After-Free bug where ce->tgthint was left
pointing to freed memory after free_tgts() was called.

To fix this, Patch 1 hardens the DFS cache readers against ce->tgthint
being NULL. Also, Patch 1 hardens callers of get_tgt_name(), which
returns an error pointer when ce->tgthint is NULL.

Patch 2 clears ce->tgthint in free_tgts(), eliminating the dangling
pointer.

v1 -> v2:
 - Addressed automated review by Sashiko:
   https://sashiko.dev/#/patchset/20260724023539.1596955-1-fredric.cover.lkernel%40gmail.com
   Split into a 2-patch series to harden readers against NULL and
   ERR_PTR target hints so that clearing ce->tgthint does not cause
   NULL pointer dereferences.

Fredric Cover (2):
  smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints
  smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()

 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 33 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

-- 
2.53.0

[PATCH v2 1/2] smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints

[Fredric Cover]

Currently, get_tgt_name() returns ERR_PTR(-ENOENT) when ce->tgthint is
NULL, and dfs_cache_noreq_update_tgthint() assumes ce->tgthint is always
valid.

In preparation for clearing ce->tgthint in free_tgts(), harden callers
of get_tgt_name() against ERR_PTR results and harden
dfs_cache_noreq_update_tgthint() against NULL pointer dereferences.

Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org
Signed-off-by: Fredric Cover <fredric.cover.lkernel@gmail.com>
---
 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 31 ++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 1 file changed, 24 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
index 8cd93cd2f00f..c9ace4326a35 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
@@ -869,13 +869,22 @@ int dfs_cache_find(const unsigned int xid, struct cifs_ses *ses, const struct nl
 		goto out_free_path;
 	}
 
-	if (ref)
-		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, get_tgt_name(ce));
-	else
+	if (ref) {
+		char *target = get_tgt_name(ce);
+
+		if (IS_ERR(target)) {
+			rc = PTR_ERR(target);
+			goto out_unlock;
+		}
+		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, target);
+	} else {
 		rc = 0;
+	}
+
 	if (!rc && tgt_list)
 		rc = get_targets(ce, tgt_list);
 
+out_unlock:
 	up_read(&htable_rw_lock);
 
 out_free_path:
@@ -915,10 +924,17 @@ int dfs_cache_noreq_find(const char *path, struct dfs_info3_param *ref,
 		goto out_unlock;
 	}
 
-	if (ref)
-		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, get_tgt_name(ce));
-	else
+	if (ref) {
+		char *target = get_tgt_name(ce);
+
+		if (IS_ERR(target)) {
+			rc = PTR_ERR(target);
+			goto out_unlock;
+		}
+		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, target);
+	} else {
 		rc = 0;
+	}
 	if (!rc && tgt_list)
 		rc = get_targets(ce, tgt_list);
 
@@ -959,7 +975,8 @@ void dfs_cache_noreq_update_tgthint(const char *path, const struct dfs_cache_tgt
 
 	t = READ_ONCE(ce->tgthint);
 
-	if (unlikely(!strcasecmp(it->it_name, t->name)))
+	/* Check 't' in case ce->tgthint was cleared by free_tgts() */
+	if (t && unlikely(!strcasecmp(it->it_name, t->name)))
 		goto out_unlock;
 
 	list_for_each_entry(t, &ce->tlist, list) {
-- 
2.53.0

[PATCH v2 2/2] smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()

[Fredric Cover]

When free_tgts() frees all structures in ce->tlist, ce->tgthint
is left pointing to one of the freed cache_dfs_tgt structures.

If ce->tgthint is not reset before it is used later, it results
in a use-after-free.

Set ce->tgthint to NULL in free_tgts() after the elements are
freed to reflect that no elements remain.

Fixes: 54be1f6c1c37 ("cifs: Add DFS cache routines")
Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org # depends on: smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints
Signed-off-by: Fredric Cover <fredric.cover.lkernel@gmail.com>
---
 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
index c9ace4326a35..86dba25b7a5a 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
@@ -122,6 +122,8 @@ static inline void free_tgts(struct cache_entry *ce)
 		kfree(t->name);
 		kfree(t);
 	}
+
+	WRITE_ONCE(ce->tgthint, NULL);
 }
 
 static inline void flush_cache_ent(struct cache_entry *ce)
-- 
2.53.0

[PATCH v3 0/2] smb: client: fix dangling pointer in DFS target hints

[Fredric Cover]

This series addresses a Use-After-Free bug where ce->tgthint was left
pointing to freed memory after free_tgts() was called.

To fix this, Patch 1 hardens the DFS cache readers against ce->tgthint
being NULL. Also, Patch 1 hardens callers of get_tgt_name(), which
returns an error pointer when ce->tgthint is NULL.

Patch 2 clears ce->tgthint in free_tgts(), eliminating the dangling
pointer.

v2 -> v3:
 - Resent series with proper thread structure and subject headers.

v1 -> v2:
 - Addressed automated review by Sashiko:
   https://sashiko.dev/#/patchset/20260724023539.1596955-1-fredric.cover.lkernel%40gmail.com
 - Split into a 2-patch series to harden readers against NULL and
   ERR_PTR target hints.

Fredric Cover (2):
  smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints
  smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()

 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 33 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

-- 
2.53.0

[PATCH v3 1/2] smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints

[Fredric Cover]

Currently, get_tgt_name() returns ERR_PTR(-ENOENT) when ce->tgthint is
NULL, and dfs_cache_noreq_update_tgthint() assumes ce->tgthint is always
valid.

In preparation for clearing ce->tgthint in free_tgts(), harden callers
of get_tgt_name() against ERR_PTR results and harden
dfs_cache_noreq_update_tgthint() against NULL pointer dereferences.

Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org
Signed-off-by: Fredric Cover <fredric.cover.lkernel@gmail.com>
---
 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 31 ++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 1 file changed, 24 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)

diff --git a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
index 8cd93cd2f00f..c9ace4326a35 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
@@ -869,13 +869,22 @@ int dfs_cache_find(const unsigned int xid, struct cifs_ses *ses, const struct nl
 		goto out_free_path;
 	}
 
-	if (ref)
-		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, get_tgt_name(ce));
-	else
+	if (ref) {
+		char *target = get_tgt_name(ce);
+
+		if (IS_ERR(target)) {
+			rc = PTR_ERR(target);
+			goto out_unlock;
+		}
+		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, target);
+	} else {
 		rc = 0;
+	}
+
 	if (!rc && tgt_list)
 		rc = get_targets(ce, tgt_list);
 
+out_unlock:
 	up_read(&htable_rw_lock);
 
 out_free_path:
@@ -915,10 +924,17 @@ int dfs_cache_noreq_find(const char *path, struct dfs_info3_param *ref,
 		goto out_unlock;
 	}
 
-	if (ref)
-		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, get_tgt_name(ce));
-	else
+	if (ref) {
+		char *target = get_tgt_name(ce);
+
+		if (IS_ERR(target)) {
+			rc = PTR_ERR(target);
+			goto out_unlock;
+		}
+		rc = setup_referral(path, ce, ref, target);
+	} else {
 		rc = 0;
+	}
 	if (!rc && tgt_list)
 		rc = get_targets(ce, tgt_list);
 
@@ -959,7 +975,8 @@ void dfs_cache_noreq_update_tgthint(const char *path, const struct dfs_cache_tgt
 
 	t = READ_ONCE(ce->tgthint);
 
-	if (unlikely(!strcasecmp(it->it_name, t->name)))
+	/* Check 't' in case ce->tgthint was cleared by free_tgts() */
+	if (t && unlikely(!strcasecmp(it->it_name, t->name)))
 		goto out_unlock;
 
 	list_for_each_entry(t, &ce->tlist, list) {
-- 
2.53.0

[PATCH v3 2/2] smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()

[Fredric Cover]

When free_tgts() frees all structures in ce->tlist, ce->tgthint
is left pointing to one of the freed cache_dfs_tgt structures.

If ce->tgthint is not reset before it is used later, it results
in a use-after-free.

Set ce->tgthint to NULL in free_tgts() after the elements are
freed to reflect that no elements remain.

Fixes: 54be1f6c1c37 ("cifs: Add DFS cache routines")
Cc: stable@vger.kernel.org # depends on: smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints
Signed-off-by: Fredric Cover <fredric.cover.lkernel@gmail.com>
---
 fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
index c9ace4326a35..86dba25b7a5a 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c
@@ -122,6 +122,8 @@ static inline void free_tgts(struct cache_entry *ce)
 		kfree(t->name);
 		kfree(t);
 	}
+
+	WRITE_ONCE(ce->tgthint, NULL);
 }
 
 static inline void flush_cache_ent(struct cache_entry *ce)
-- 
2.53.0

Re: [PATCH v3 0/2] smb: client: fix dangling pointer in DFS target hints

[Fredric Cover]

Steve,
A gentle ping on this patch series. Let me know if any updates or
revisions are needed.

Thanks,
Fredric Cover

On Fri, Jul 24, 2026 at 3:02 PM Fredric Cover
<fredric.cover.lkernel@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> This series addresses a Use-After-Free bug where ce->tgthint was left
> pointing to freed memory after free_tgts() was called.
>
> To fix this, Patch 1 hardens the DFS cache readers against ce->tgthint
> being NULL. Also, Patch 1 hardens callers of get_tgt_name(), which
> returns an error pointer when ce->tgthint is NULL.
>
> Patch 2 clears ce->tgthint in free_tgts(), eliminating the dangling
> pointer.
>
> v2 -> v3:
>  - Resent series with proper thread structure and subject headers.
>
> v1 -> v2:
>  - Addressed automated review by Sashiko:
>    https://sashiko.dev/#/patchset/20260724023539.1596955-1-fredric.cover.lkernel%40gmail.com
>  - Split into a 2-patch series to harden readers against NULL and
>    ERR_PTR target hints.
>
> Fredric Cover (2):
>   smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints
>   smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()
>
>  fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 33 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
>  1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)
>
> --
> 2.53.0
>

Re: [PATCH v3 0/2] smb: client: fix dangling pointer in DFS target hints

[ChenXiaoSong]

It seems that patch 02 should be applied first.

Looks good to me.

Reviewed-by: ChenXiaoSong <chenxiaosong@kylinos.cn>

On 7/25/26 06:01, Fredric Cover wrote:
> This series addresses a Use-After-Free bug where ce->tgthint was left
> pointing to freed memory after free_tgts() was called.
> 
> To fix this, Patch 1 hardens the DFS cache readers against ce->tgthint
> being NULL. Also, Patch 1 hardens callers of get_tgt_name(), which
> returns an error pointer when ce->tgthint is NULL.
> 
> Patch 2 clears ce->tgthint in free_tgts(), eliminating the dangling
> pointer.
> 
> v2 -> v3:
>   - Resent series with proper thread structure and subject headers.
> 
> v1 -> v2:
>   - Addressed automated review by Sashiko:
>     https://sashiko.dev/#/patchset/20260724023539.1596955-1-fredric.cover.lkernel%40gmail.com
>   - Split into a 2-patch series to harden readers against NULL and
>     ERR_PTR target hints.
> 
> Fredric Cover (2):
>    smb: client: harden DFS cache against invalid target hints
>    smb: client: clear ce->tgthint in free_tgts()
> 
>   fs/smb/client/dfs_cache.c | 33 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
>   1 file changed, 26 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-)
> 

-- 
ChenXiaoSong <chenxiaosong@chenxiaosong.com>
Chinese Homepage: https://chenxiaosong.com
English Homepage: https://chenxiaosong.com/en