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CVE-2026-98737

Linux: Bluetooth: hci_sync: Fix inquiry cache use-after-free

Linux LinuxOperating systems
CVSS
NoneNot scored
ExploitationNo known exploitationNot in CISA KEV, which does not prove it is unexploitedCISA KEV
Exploit odds (EPSS)0.20%Chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 9% of CVEs. Scored 23 Oct 2026FIRST EPSS
Fixed in52edf1c0e59dea37b8368c4a2559dca96b2fdfeaAlso 333257e6e4a7bcaaea82fd357121d0f1e6b76c7b, 8ed67535fdff40ca652bcd4ac7da68d11d01bd34CVE List
Published18 Oct 2026Updated 21 Oct 2026CVE List

What fixes it

  • 52edf1c0e59dea37b8368c4a2559dca96b2fdfeaLinuxCVE List
  • 333257e6e4a7bcaaea82fd357121d0f1e6b76c7bLinuxCVE List
  • 8ed67535fdff40ca652bcd4ac7da68d11d01bd34LinuxCVE List

A fixed version on one release line is not the upgrade target for every line. Check your exact version and any vendor backports.

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

Bluetooth: hci_sync: Fix inquiry cache use-after-free

The sync command worker holds hdev->req_lock, but inquiry-cache updates and flushes use hdev->lock. Both hci_acl_create_conn_sync() and hci_stop_discovery_sync() look up entries and read their fields without taking hdev->lock.

After either lookup returns, a concurrent HCIINQUIRY ioctl can acquire hdev->lock and flush the cache, freeing the entry. The worker then reads the freed entry while preparing a create-connection or remote-name-cancel command. The list traversal also races with cache updates and removal.

KASAN reported these accesses:

BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in hci_acl_create_conn_sync+0x5f1/0x650 Workqueue: hci0 hci_cmd_sync_work Call Trace: hci_acl_create_conn_sync+0x5f1/0x650 hci_cmd_sync_work+0x13c/0x290

Allocated by task 90: hci_inquiry_cache_update+0x3e6/0x7d0 hci_inquiry_result_evt+0x3cb/0x560

Freed by task 93: hci_inquiry_cache_flush+0x111/0x2b0 hci_inquiry+0x2f2/0x780 hci_sock_ioctl+0x269/0x5f0

BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in hci_stop_discovery_sync+0x3b1/0x3c0 Workqueue: hci0 hci_cmd_sync_work Call Trace: hci_stop_discovery_sync+0x3b1/0x3c0 hci_cmd_sync_work+0x173/0x300

Allocated by task 86: hci_inquiry_cache_update+0x483/0x940 hci_inquiry_result_evt+0x3cb/0x560

Freed by task 91: hci_inquiry_cache_flush+0x13e/0x2f0 hci_inquiry+0x2f2/0x780 hci_sock_ioctl+0x269/0x5f0

Hold hdev->lock across each lookup and all reads from its result. Copy the remote address before unlocking so discovery cancellation does not retain a cache entry pointer. Release the lock before sending synchronous HCI commands, since their completion handlers may need the same lock.

Text from CVE List

Affected versions 12

  • Linuxaffected: cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd before ddc9edb244cc8b5266595e8fc220e7813f2b603aCVE List
  • Linuxaffected: cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd before 52edf1c0e59dea37b8368c4a2559dca96b2fdfeaCVE List
  • Linuxaffected: cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd before 333257e6e4a7bcaaea82fd357121d0f1e6b76c7bCVE List
  • Linuxaffected: cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd before a642f498f0b08f2aa9f4a69468db92f57a72349dCVE List
  • Linuxaffected: cf75ad8b41d2aa06f98f365d42a3ae8b059daddd before 8ed67535fdff40ca652bcd4ac7da68d11d01bd34CVE List
  • Linuxaffected: 5.17CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: all versions before 5.17CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 6.6.160 through 6.6.*CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 6.12.113 through 6.12.*CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 6.18.56 through 6.18.*CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 7.2.10 through 7.2.*CVE List
  • Linuxunaffected: 7.3CVE List

References 5