What is CVE-2026-43018?

CVE-2026-43018 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, classified as a Use After Free flaw (CWE-416), affecting Linux kernel versions from 5.17 onward and patched in 6.1.168, 6.6.134, 6.12.81 and others. CVE-2026-43018 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-43018?

CVE-2026-43018 has a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, rated High severity. The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-43018?

Yes, CVE-2026-43018 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.168, 6.6.134, 6.12.81 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.17 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

Is CVE-2026-43018 actively exploited?

CVE-2026-43018 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. See MITRE CWE for full details: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/416.html

CVE-2026-43018

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: hci_event: fix potential UAF in hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt hci_conn lookup and field access must be covered by hdev lock in hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt, otherwise it's possible it is freed concurrently. Extend the hci_dev_lock critical section to cover all conn usage.

Package Linux Kernel

Published 2026-05-01

Last modified 2026-05-08

CVSS version 3.1

Patch available

Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

8.8

out of 10

High

Attack Vector

Adjacent

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

None

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

Vector string

CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2026-43018 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.17 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.1.168, 6.6.134, 6.12.81, 6.18.22, 6.19.12, 7.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from

≥ 5.17

Fixed in

✓ 6.1.168 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.134 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.81 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.22 6.18.x ✓ 6.19.12 6.19.x ✓ 7.0

References

6 total

Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d0bdbfe3e91c11f0a704c52443a9446a10d699c

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/59eecf0ffde15670e6a5e10c47be67f73d843b20

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5fb69e1eeea9d6cba80517e9f058b56b34bc3a81

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7cadb03be37e761130edb153544fe0770a842b19

Patch
Kernel Git
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b255531b27da336571411248c2a72a350662bd09

Patch

Showing 5 of 6 references View all on NVD

Details

CVE ID CVE-2026-43018

Severity High

CVSS score 8.8 / 10

CVSS version 3.1

Published 2026-05-01

Modified 2026-05-08

KEV No

Patch

Yes

Package linux

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-43018?

CVE-2026-43018 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.17 onward and has been patched in 6.1.168, 6.6.134, 6.12.81 and others. CVE-2026-43018 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-43018?

CVE-2026-43018 has a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-43018?

Yes. CVE-2026-43018 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.1.168, 6.6.134, 6.12.81 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.17 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.
Is CVE-2026-43018 actively exploited?

No. CVE-2026-43018 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.