Linux Kernel up to 7.3-rc4 Bluetooth ISO hci_bind_bis use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.
Current Exploit Price (≈)
Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.
CTI Interest Score
Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
9.5$5k-$25k0.48

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.157/6.12.111/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4. It has been rated as very critical. This impacts the function hci_bind_bis of the component Bluetooth ISO. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-98459. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.157/6.12.111/6.18.54/7.2.8/7.3-rc4 and classified as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function hci_bind_bis of the component Bluetooth ISO. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: ISO: balance the parent hold in hci_bind_bis() hci_conn_link() takes a lifetime reference to its parent with hci_conn_get(), but only takes an operational hold on the child. hci_conn_unlink() later balances both a hold and a reference on the parent. The SCO and CIS paths pass a parent acquired from a connect helper, so it already has a hold. For an additional BIS, hci_bind_bis() obtains the parent from hci_conn_hash_lookup_big(), which returns a bare pointer. Unlinking the child then drops the parent's existing hold and can schedule it for disconnection while its socket is still using it. Take a hold on the parent before linking it and drop that hold if linking fails. A successful link transfers the hold to hci_conn_unlink().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-98459 since 09/25/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 10/18/2026).

Upgrading to version 6.6.158, 6.12.112, 6.18.55, 7.2.9 or 7.3-rc5 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ff28e6c67143c76ef50c3eac01f2fad411705f71/03a91cdf6862fb351a74f035ad21e70112438552/4e49206d9574a4c109480198e73aea34ad0ed7f6/bbcd723ee7a84bc868142fd57717af88e54e555a/4c94557dd02569efa6c1072a0439addaef9a5224 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5

VulDB Base Score: 10.0
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
UnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-DayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock
TodayUnlockUnlockUnlockUnlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.158/6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5
Patch: ff28e6c67143c76ef50c3eac01f2fad411705f71/03a91cdf6862fb351a74f035ad21e70112438552/4e49206d9574a4c109480198e73aea34ad0ed7f6/bbcd723ee7a84bc868142fd57717af88e54e555a/4c94557dd02569efa6c1072a0439addaef9a5224

Timelineinfo

09/25/2026 CVE reserved
10/18/2026 +23 days Advisory disclosed
10/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
10/18/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-98459 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98459
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-421771

Entryinfo

Created: 10/18/2026 17:34
Changes: 10/18/2026 17:34 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Discussion

No comments yet. Languages: en.

Please log in to comment.

◂ PreviousOverviewNext ▸

Interested in the pricing of exploits?

See the underground prices here!