Reference hold handling error in Linux Bluetooth CIS connections
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: 5 without a fix
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
The Linux kernel from 6.6 is affected by a flaw in the Bluetooth CIS connection code in hci_conn. Some return and error paths in hci_bind_cis and hci_connect_cis do not take or balance the ISO layer hold, so reused connections can end up with the wrong reference ownership.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
Description from the CNA
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: hci_conn: fix CIS hold ownership on reuse Commit 69997d50ec57 ("Bluetooth: ISO: handle bound CIS cleanup via hci_conn") made hci_bind_cis() and hci_connect_cis() return a connection with one hold for the ISO layer. hci_bind_cis() currently takes that hold only after configuring a CIS, so its BT_CONNECTED and matching BT_BOUND paths return a bare lookup result. Its configuration failure path can likewise call hci_conn_drop() before taking a hold. Take the hold before any state-dependent return or configuration error so every successful return follows the documented ownership contract and every error drop is balanced. hci_connect_cis() also assumes hci_conn_link() always takes a new CIS hold before dropping the one returned by hci_bind_cis(). However, the helper returns an existing link without taking another hold. In that case, preserve the CIS hold for the caller and drop the redundant LE hold because the existing link already owns its parent hold. Returning early also avoids changing an existing CIS back to BT_CONNECT.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
Remediation
The Linux kernel is fixed in 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9 and 7.3. Red Hat's plan is none available for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5, and no fix is planned for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-06
- Fix · CNA Linux (Linux) Fixed in 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 6 | Affected | No fix planned: Out of support scope |
| 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: 4 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Timeline
- 2026-10-18 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-98462
- 2026-10-18 Alias added: GHSA-2fvm-fm9j-6jqx
- 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
- 2026-10-21 CVSS score changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-06 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
Other 5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/10f959cb435217b4b407864e5be0eb779e389490
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/072bc8659f22566083f8eef7dc5903bbcaf7804a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3ff5a8d949e3a2a435d0a5ee05074cd371b0158a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/947eb2f41f70d371eb16897ee4e8e32bff73b476
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e06d549fcd4a0ba381ed67ddf1ab3c7a6ca4314c
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Sources
- CVE-2026-98462 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-98462 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-2fvm-fm9j-6jqx · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-98462 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences