CVE-2026-63948: Linux kernel · Bluetooth: L2CAP: fix chan ref leak in l2cap_chan_timeout() on !conn
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 17:16 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · No CVSS score from NVD or the CNA
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 11% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1117.124~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1123.132~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1122.131~20.04.1 +68
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 20 Jul 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
An official fix is available. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that address this issue and reboot their systems to complete remediation. No additional mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A use-after-release reference leak vulnerability was identified and fixed in the Linux kernel's Bluetooth L2CAP subsystem. The flaw involved a missing reference release in the l2cap_chan_timeout() function when the channel connection pointer was NULL, causing a reference leak. This issue affects multiple linux-hwe-edge kernel versions prior to 7.0.0-28.28~24.04.1 and related builds. The vulnerability is rated medium severity. No known exploits are reported in the wild. Users should apply the official kernel updates and reboot to remediate the issue.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-63948 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-63948 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/9dbd84990394c51f5cee1e8871bb5ff8af5ed939 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8593-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8603-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8618-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8663-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8664-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8781-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8728-3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8878-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8879-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8877-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8875-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8903-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8905-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8906-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8904-1 (opens in a new tab)