CVE-2026-43018
Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete
Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel Bluetooth Subsystem

Publication date: 2026-05-01

Last updated on: 2026-05-08

Assigner: kernel.org

Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: hci_event: fix potential UAF in hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt hci_conn lookup and field access must be covered by hdev lock in hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt, otherwise it's possible it is freed concurrently. Extend the hci_dev_lock critical section to cover all conn usage.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-05-01
Last Modified
2026-05-08
Generated
2026-06-16
AI Q&A
2026-05-01
EPSS Evaluated
2026-06-15
NVD
CVE-2026-43018
EUVD
EUVD-2026-26617
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 11 associated CPEs
Vendor Product Version / Range
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel 7.0
linux linux_kernel From 6.13 (inc) to 6.18.22 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 5.17 (inc) to 6.1.168 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.19 (inc) to 6.19.12 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.7 (inc) to 6.12.81 (exc)
linux linux_kernel From 6.2 (inc) to 6.6.134 (exc)
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Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-416 The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's Bluetooth subsystem, specifically in the handling of the hci_le_remote_conn_param_req_evt event.

The issue is a potential Use-After-Free (UAF) condition caused by accessing a connection object (hci_conn) without proper locking (hdev lock). If the connection object is freed concurrently while being accessed, it can lead to undefined behavior or crashes.

The fix involves extending the critical section protected by the hci_dev_lock to cover all usage of the connection object, ensuring it cannot be freed while in use.

Impact Analysis

Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to instability or crashes in the Bluetooth subsystem of the Linux kernel.

A Use-After-Free condition might be leveraged by an attacker to execute arbitrary code, cause denial of service, or trigger other unexpected behavior depending on the context.

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