Invalid kernel reads via Bluetooth OOB race
Published Oct 18, 2026 · Updated Oct 18, 2026
Use-after-free in Linux Bluetooth SMP allows attackers to trigger invalid kernel reads during out-of-band pairing. The build_pairing_cmd() function traverses and copies remote OOB entries without synchronization against removal, allowing it to read freed memory. Triggering requires pairing to overlap a local management removal command; the published evidence establishes invalid reads, not attacker-controlled execution or data disclosure.
Summary
What happened
Use-after-free in Linux Bluetooth SMP allows attackers to trigger invalid kernel reads during out-of-band pairing. The build_pairing_cmd() function traverses and copies remote OOB entries without synchronization against removal, allowing it to read freed memory. Triggering requires pairing to overlap a local management removal command; the published evidence establishes invalid reads, not attacker-controlled execution or data disclosure.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-98738
- Published
- Oct 18, 2026
- Updated
- Oct 18, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- Unavailable
- Attack vector
- Unavailable
- Privileges
- Unavailable
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Oct 18, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 18, 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.
- Affected versionversion=02b05bd8b0a632e9a26795bced8f19ca6a5f7079 <1e11412a1b9854a89d044576d616675b16141d87
- Affected versionversion=02b05bd8b0a632e9a26795bced8f19ca6a5f7079 <81a2345f1984f0b36d3226571bc196316a01b648
- Affected versionversion=02b05bd8b0a632e9a26795bced8f19ca6a5f7079 <889c61e3d0f1091a958e4b2a24b20bab23d915c4
- Affected versionversion=02b05bd8b0a632e9a26795bced8f19ca6a5f7079 <df5162eeb10e69fe0c2349503882c4a09077f001
- Affected versionversion=3.19
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
No CVSS assessment is available in this record.
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.
Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.
Weakness, pattern, technique
No sourced classifications are available.
Public exploit references
No public exploit references are available in this record.
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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