CVE-2026-74540

Kernel memory corruption via unheld L2CAP channel

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Updated Aug 15, 2026

Linux kernel Bluetooth L2CAP use-after-free allows physically proximate attackers to corrupt kernel memory via a remote disconnect. l2cap_le_connect_rsp locks and operates on a channel returned by __l2cap_get_chan_by_ident without first retaining a reference, allowing concurrent deletion to free it. The path requires Bluetooth Low Energy L2CAP traffic and a concurrent disconnect; successful exploitation can crash the system or execute code in kernel context.

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

Linux kernel Bluetooth L2CAP use-after-free allows physically proximate attackers to corrupt kernel memory via a remote disconnect. l2cap_le_connect_rsp locks and operates on a channel returned by __l2cap_get_chan_by_ident without first retaining a reference, allowing concurrent deletion to free it. The path requires Bluetooth Low Energy L2CAP traffic and a concurrent disconnect; successful exploitation can crash the system or execute code in kernel context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-74540
Published
Aug 15, 2026
Updated
Aug 15, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-825, T1499.004
Attack vector
adjacent
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 15, 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=3.14
  2. Affected versionversion=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <09f447accc2570751e7d17f0dc0788b40d3edade
  3. Affected versionversion=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <522b730c62c53a1981604fd73524697fd347830d
  4. Affected versionversion=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <58e3c5289ad230a7e24ae4b0c7b43f5ee6e32136
  5. Affected versionversion=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <c4740e7f23ff9a8210198d8b4703259e21b9f69d
  6. Affected versionversion=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <fd4c1e301bdec60a40728ea37de531cbccda501a

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectoradjacent
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=3.14; version=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <09f447accc2570751e7d17f0dc0788b40d3edade; version=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <522b730c62c53a1981604fd73524697fd347830d; version=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <58e3c5289ad230a7e24ae4b0c7b43f5ee6e32136; version=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <c4740e7f23ff9a8210198d8b4703259e21b9f69d; version=f1496dee9cbde2a62821f4441dadb0d3360f60c3 <fd4c1e301bdec60a40728ea37de531cbccda501a

Published CVSS scores

5.5Red HatCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
8.8CVE.orgCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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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-825Expired Pointer Dereference
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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