CVE-2026-43018

Kernel memory corruption via unlocked Bluetooth lookup

Published May 1, 2026 · Updated May 1, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel allows physically proximate attackers to corrupt kernel memory via Bluetooth LE traffic. The hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt handler looks up an hci_conn and reads its fields outside the hci_dev_lock critical section while another thread frees it. The path requires an unauthenticated peer within Bluetooth radio range and no user interaction; exploitation causes a kernel crash or memory corruption.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.26%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel allows physically proximate attackers to corrupt kernel memory via Bluetooth LE traffic. The hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt handler looks up an hci_conn and reads its fields outside the hci_dev_lock critical section while another thread frees it. The path requires an unauthenticated peer within Bluetooth radio range and no user interaction; exploitation causes a kernel crash or memory corruption.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-43018
Published
May 1, 2026
Updated
May 1, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-416, T1499.004
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 1, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 1, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.17
  2. Affected versionversion=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <1d0bdbfe3e91c11f0a704c52443a9446a10d699c
  3. Affected versionversion=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <59eecf0ffde15670e6a5e10c47be67f73d843b20
  4. Affected versionversion=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <5fb69e1eeea9d6cba80517e9f058b56b34bc3a81
  5. Affected versionversion=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <7cadb03be37e761130edb153544fe0770a842b19
  6. Affected versionversion=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <b255531b27da336571411248c2a72a350662bd09
  7. Affected versionversion=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <ea3cd36d7382d5f8309df04c275d20df139ed42c

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=5.17; version=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <1d0bdbfe3e91c11f0a704c52443a9446a10d699c; version=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <59eecf0ffde15670e6a5e10c47be67f73d843b20; version=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <5fb69e1eeea9d6cba80517e9f058b56b34bc3a81; version=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <7cadb03be37e761130edb153544fe0770a842b19; version=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <b255531b27da336571411248c2a72a350662bd09; version=95118dd4edfec950898a00180c6f998df0a6406d <ea3cd36d7382d5f8309df04c275d20df139ed42c

Published CVSS scores

5.5SUSECVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
8.8Linux Kernel CNACVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5.5OracleCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectoradjacent
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1499.004Application or System Exploitation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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