Out-of-bounds read in Linux kernel Bluetooth L2CAP frame handling
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 6 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel Bluetooth L2CAP code is affected from 2.6.32 before the fixed versions. The receive path reads the control field and FCS of a frame without first checking that the frame is long enough. A short ERTM or streaming-mode frame can cause an out-of-bounds read, and a short frame with CRC16 enabled reads past the end of the frame.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-30
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: L2CAP: validate frame length before control and FCS access l2cap_data_rcv() unpacks either a two-byte or four-byte control field without first ensuring that it is present. A short ERTM or streaming-mode frame can therefore cause an out-of-bounds read. There is a second short-frame case when CRC16 is enabled. After the control field is pulled, l2cap_check_fcs() subtracts two from skb->len without checking it. If fewer than two bytes remain, the subtraction wraps; skb_trim() leaves the buffer unchanged and the subsequent FCS load reads past the logical end of the frame. Validate that the frame contains both its control field and, when enabled, its FCS before either field is accessed.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 2.6.32 and later | 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3 | Patch available | CNA |
- Linux VendorLinux Affected 2.6.32 and later Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3 Patch available CNA
Remediation
Update the Linux kernel to 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9 or 7.3, or to the upstream commit that fixes the affected branch. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 and 5 are affected, and Red Hat's plan for them is none available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-30
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 5.10.271, 5.15.222, 6.1.189, 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9, 7.3
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
Not affected: 1 product
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Timeline
- 2026-10-18 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98457
- 2026-10-18 Alias added: GHSA-8cwv-pj99-4m5f
- 2026-10-19 Fix available: Linux/[email protected] · CNA
- 2026-10-20 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-10-20 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-10-30 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Other 8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4373ba79a267947e771c438507f7b103e30bdb21
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/965bd88ed4b4763cb765dd65885adcfa588c6b14
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3acf6a0038ec0d4e8f4dcbfc2a557dff5f61cb70
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8c7556c7cd17e073bbefdc4a9a4694a207544c37
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fdbb2a712a9a162ee817c959740face80b3d929
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c6a288e6001bcce16553c3853e0f5a45eaaf85c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f557274af7b94b6134692e6f26b880f1e34c15bf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c78a213d9070b610c7f418af2c25b66180b7e37
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Sources
- CVE-2026-98457 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98457 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-8cwv-pj99-4m5f · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98457 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
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