CVE-2026-97975: Linux kernel · Bluetooth: hci_sysfs: Fix NULL pointer dereference in device_del()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 12:55 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Sep 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
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
A fix is available that properly manages device references to prevent the race condition causing the NULL pointer dereference. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions containing this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Bluetooth subsystem (hci_sysfs) causes a NULL pointer dereference in device_del() due to concurrent unregistration and reparenting of child devices. This issue arises from improper handling of device references during device removal, leading to a stale pointer dereference. The flaw was introduced by a prior commit intended to fix a use-after-free but inadvertently caused this race. The fix involves holding an explicit reference to the parent device throughout the child's lifecycle and restoring a filtering condition to prevent the race condition.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-97975 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97975 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9e9ece97b8e716890793de261574b8efef7d8702 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/eeabdb25c3209569367e99a85ca9a503b64a646d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9b851b09b392da68bd715601f10a5adb2d8d19b8 (opens in a new tab)