RHBA-2014:1566 - Bug Fix Advisory

Topic

Updated e2fsprogs packages that fix several bugs and add one enhancement are now
available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.

Description

The e2fsprogs packages provide a number of utilities for creating, checking,
modifying, and correcting any inconsistencies in the ext2 file systems.

This update fixes the following bugs:

• The resize2fs utility sometimes caused file system corruption during an

offline resize of an ext4 file system. This happened because resize2fs did not
reserve all existing metadata blocks prior to executing the resize operation.
This update fixes resize2fs to reserve all existing metadata blocks as expected
in this situation. (BZ#1036122)

• The tune2fs man page states that the "-f" option can be used to remove a file

system journal even if the journal requires replay. However, earlier versions of
tune2fs did not behave as documented. This update allows tune2fs to remove a
dirty journal by supplying two "-f" options on the command line. (BZ#1040122)

• With previous versions of mke2fs, it was possible to specify an unsupported

and unmountable file system revision on the command line by using the "-r"
option. The mke2fs utility now refuses to create a file system with a revision
higher than is currently supported. (BZ#1093446)

• Previously, the e2image program could run against a mounted block device,

resulting in an inconsistent metadata image. With this update, the e2image
program now displays a warning message if the block device is mounted, and
requires the "-f" option to proceed in this case. (BZ#1097061)

• With previous versions of e2fsck, "zeroed-out" directory blocks were not

reported or repaired. The e2fsck utility now detects and repairs this type of
corruption. (BZ#1112242)

In addition, this update adds the following enhancement:

• The enable_periodic_fsck option has been added to /etc/mke2fs.conf to enable

or disable periodic e2fsck operations when creating new file systems with the
mke2fs utility. A periodic file system check is enabled by default. (BZ#1052409)

Users of e2fsprogs are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which fix
these bugs and add this enhancement.

Solution

Before applying this update, make sure all previously released errata
relevant to your system have been applied.

This update is available via the Red Hat Network. Details on how to
use the Red Hat Network to apply this update are available at
https://access.redhat.com/articles/11258

Affected Products

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Workstation 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for IBM z Systems 6 s390x
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Power, big endian 6 ppc64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux for Scientific Computing 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 6 x86_64
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server from RHUI 6 i386
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server - Extended Life Cycle Support (for IBM z Systems) 6 s390x

Fixes

• BZ - 1040122 - tune2fs -f option does not work as described (will not forcibly remove journal)
• BZ - 1093446 - mkfs can create filesystems with a revision that breaks e2fsprogs support
• BZ - 1097061 - e2image can be run on a mounted filesystem
• BZ - 1112242 - e2fsck can not fix corrupted directory entry

CVEs

(none)

References

(none)