[Bug 1225644] [NEW] old e2fsprogs version can corrupt fs during offline resize

[AlexHarrowell]

Public bug reported:

The version of e2fsprogs (1.42.5 and below) included in Precise,
Quantal, and Raring contains the bug described here:

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2060328

and fixed in 1.42.8. 1.42.8 is included in Saucy. I think the newer
version should be included as an update, as the bug causes data loss.
Further, documentation should reflect that it isn't necessarily better
to unmount before resizing under ext4 - at the moment, it is always
impressed on everyone to NEVER touch a filesystem online.

I believe Ubuntu's installer sets the flag (resize_inode) in question by
default, so the combination of:

1) ext4 with resize_inode set
2) gparted and documentation insist that you only ever modify the filesystem offline
3) the old version of e2fsprogs

creates the risk that the holes in the swiss cheese line up and lead to
a disaster.

** Affects: e2fsprogs (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: data-loss ext4 filesystem

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1225644

Title:
  old e2fsprogs version can corrupt fs during offline resize

Status in “e2fsprogs” package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  The version of e2fsprogs (1.42.5 and below) included in Precise,
  Quantal, and Raring contains the bug described here:

  http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2060328

  and fixed in 1.42.8. 1.42.8 is included in Saucy. I think the newer
  version should be included as an update, as the bug causes data loss.
  Further, documentation should reflect that it isn't necessarily better
  to unmount before resizing under ext4 - at the moment, it is always
  impressed on everyone to NEVER touch a filesystem online.

  I believe Ubuntu's installer sets the flag (resize_inode) in question
  by default, so the combination of:

  1) ext4 with resize_inode set
  2) gparted and documentation insist that you only ever modify the filesystem offline
  3) the old version of e2fsprogs

  creates the risk that the holes in the swiss cheese line up and lead
  to a disaster.

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