CVE-2026-98737

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.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-10-18
Last modified 2026-10-18
Patch available
Yes

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.17 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10, 7.3 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.17
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.113 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.56 6.18.x ✓ 7.2.10 7.2.x ✓ 7.3

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-98737?

    CVE-2026-98737 is a unscored severity Linux kernel vulnerability . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.17 onward and has been patched in 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 and others. CVE-2026-98737 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-98737?

    Yes. CVE-2026-98737 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 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-2026-98737 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2026-98737 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.