CVE-2026-53256

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: RFCOMM: hold listener socket in rfcomm_connect_ind() rfcomm_get_sock_by_channel() scans rfcomm_sk_list under the list lock, but returns the selected listener after dropping that lock without taking a reference. rfcomm_connect_ind() then locks the listener, queues a child socket on it, and may notify it after unlocking it. The buggy scenario involves two paths, with each column showing the order within that path: rfcomm_connect_ind(): listener close: 1. Find parent in 1. close() enters rfcomm_get_sock_by_channel() rfcomm_sock_release(). 2. Drop rfcomm_sk_list.lock 2. rfcomm_sock_shutdown() without pinning parent. closes the listener. 3. Call lock_sock(parent) and 3. rfcomm_sock_kill() bt_accept_enqueue(parent, unlinks and puts parent. sk, true). 4. Read parent flags and may 4. parent can be freed. call sk_state_change(). If close wins the race, parent can be freed before rfcomm_connect_ind() reaches lock_sock(), bt_accept_enqueue(), or the deferred-setup callback. Take a reference on the listener before leaving rfcomm_sk_list.lock. After lock_sock() succeeds, recheck that it is still in BT_LISTEN before queueing a child, cache the deferred-setup bit while the parent is locked, and drop the reference after the last parent use. KASAN reported a slab-use-after-free in lock_sock_nested() from rfcomm_connect_ind(), with the freeing stack going through rfcomm_sock_kill() and rfcomm_sock_release().

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-06-25
Last modified 2026-07-08
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

8.0

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Adjacent
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2026-53256 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 2.6.12 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.1.176, 6.6.143, 6.12.94, 6.18.36, 7.0.13, 7.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.12
Fixed in
✓ 5.10.259 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.210 5.15.x ✓ 6.1.176 6.1.x ✓ 6.6.143 6.6.x ✓ 6.12.94 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.36 6.18.x ✓ 7.0.13 7.0.x ✓ 7.1

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-53256?

    CVE-2026-53256 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.0 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onward and has been patched in 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.1.176 and others. CVE-2026-53256 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-53256?

    CVE-2026-53256 has a CVSS score of 8.0 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-53256?

    Yes. CVE-2026-53256 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.10.259, 5.15.210, 6.1.176 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.12 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-53256 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-53256 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.