CVE-2026-98737: Linux kernel · Bluetooth: hci_sync: Fix inquiry cache use-after-free
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in ddc9edb244cc8b5266595e8fc220e7813f2b603a : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 9% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in ddc9edb244cc8b5266595e8fc220e7813f2b603a, a642f498f0b08f2aa9f4a69468db92f57a72349d, 333257e6e4a7bcaaea82fd357121d0f1e6b76c7b +2
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 18 Oct 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in– |
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.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ddc9edb244cc8b5266595e8fc220e7813f2b603a (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/52edf1c0e59dea37b8368c4a2559dca96b2fdfea (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/333257e6e4a7bcaaea82fd357121d0f1e6b76c7b (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/a642f498f0b08f2aa9f4a69468db92f57a72349d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ed67535fdff40ca652bcd4ac7da68d11d01bd34 (opens in a new tab)