The Linux Kernel 7.3-rc4 has been released, featuring 449 commits from approximately 239 contributors, with a notable focus on filesystems and Wi-Fi improvements. The release emphasizes hardening and error path cleanup rather than new features, as the development cycle aims to address memory-safety issues and enhance network-facing security. Significant contributions include enhancements to SMB/CIFS and NTFS filesystems, as well as wireless stability improvements led by Johannes Berg. The release highlights the collaborative effort of many contributors across various subsystems, demonstrating the maturity and ongoing commitment to maintaining the Linux kernel's reliability and security
Linux Kernel 7.3-rc4 Released: 449 Commits, Filesystems and WiFi Take Center Stage
Linux 7.3-rc4 dropped today, bringing roughly 449 commits from about 239 contributors. Torvalds called the cycle big and "bigger than usual," though the real story is where the work landed. Filesystems ate the biggest slice, with SMB/CIFS and NTFS hardening leading a wave of network-facing security fixes, while Johannes Berg's 34 Wi-Fi patches rounded out the top of the contributor list. There are no features here, but for a mature kernel that's fine: this is about bounds checks, use-after-free cleanup, and state-machine correctness before the final 7.3 freeze in late November or early December.
