The third release candidate for Linux Kernel 7.3, known as 7.3-rc3, has been released, featuring significant updates primarily in the XFS filesystem and the SMB network client, though drivers for sound, networking, and GPU also constitute a large portion of the work. This release includes numerous memory-safety fixes aimed at addressing vulnerabilities like use-after-free and overflow bugs, many of which were identified by syzbot and security researchers. The kernel's filesystem footprint has expanded, with XFS being a major contributor, while the overall driver updates remain the core focus of this release cycle. Torvalds encourages users to test the release extensively as the stable version is expected to debut in the latter half of October 2023

Linux Kernel 7.3-rc3 Released: Big Filesystem Footprint and AI-Assisted Patches

The third release candidate for Linux Kernel 7.3 shipped Sunday as what Linus Torvalds calls "another fairly large rc," driven mainly by XFS and the SMB network client. Despite the filesystem headlines, drivers for sound, networking, and GPU still make up the bulk of the work. The release is packed with memory-safety fixes, many flagged by syzbot and security researchers, to defend against use-after-free and overflow bugs. 

Linux Kernel 7.3-rc3 Released: Big Filesystem Footprint and AI-Assisted Patches @ Linux Compatible