Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5 Bluetooth RFCOMM rfcomm_tty_install/__rfcomm_release_dev use after free

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | $5k-$25k | 0.90- |
Summary
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5 and classified as very critical. Affected is the function rfcomm_tty_install/__rfcomm_release_dev of the component Bluetooth RFCOMM. The manipulation results in use after free.
This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2026-98739. The attack can be launched remotely. No exploit exists.
It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.
Details
A vulnerability classified as very critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.112/6.18.55/7.2.9/7.3-rc5. Affected is the function rfcomm_tty_install/__rfcomm_release_dev of the component Bluetooth RFCOMM. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: RFCOMM: Fix initial port reference race For RFCOMM_RELEASE_ONHUP devices, rfcomm_tty_install() and __rfcomm_release_dev() both use RFCOMM_TTY_OWNED to decide who drops the initial tty_port reference. The release path tests the bit separately from the install path setting it, so both can drop that reference. The synchronous hangup does not prevent this race: port->tty is not assigned until tty_port_open(), after installation. The following interleaving is possible: 1. Install and release each obtain a reference with rfcomm_dev_get(). 2. Release observes RFCOMM_TTY_OWNED clear. 3. Install sets RFCOMM_TTY_OWNED and drops the initial reference. 4. Release drops the same initial reference again. 5. TTY cleanup drops its reference and frees the device. 6. Release performs its final tty_port_put() on the freed port. KASAN reported: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in tty_port_put+0x22/0x190 Write of size 4 at addr ffff8881001d3d5c by task poc/92 Call Trace: tty_port_put+0x22/0x190 rfcomm_dev_ioctl+0x1d4/0x1930 sock_do_ioctl+0x110/0x260 sock_ioctl+0x380/0x590 __x64_sys_ioctl+0x134/0x1c0 Allocated by task 88: rfcomm_dev_ioctl+0x8f6/0x1930 sock_do_ioctl+0x110/0x260 sock_ioctl+0x380/0x590 __x64_sys_ioctl+0x134/0x1c0 Freed by task 65: kfree+0x131/0x3c0 rfcomm_dev_destruct+0x23b/0x2f0 release_one_tty+0xc1/0x370 process_one_work+0x661/0x1090 Use test_and_set_bit() in both paths so that only the caller that changes RFCOMM_TTY_OWNED from clear to set drops the initial reference. Each path keeps its own lookup reference until release or TTY cleanup, preserving the existing callback ordering and error handling.
The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-98739 since 09/25/2026. The exploitability is told to be easy. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $5k-$25k (estimation calculated on 10/18/2026).
Upgrading to version 6.12.113, 6.18.56, 7.2.10 or 7.3-rc6 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch a03ccf1ab77380d4c4a3c56552e12de4a83efa21/0a554901bd227537f79220443b2b36d585d62893/e5aa7fbf7a4446bb89f0b8394b2dfc1a6b6aba5b/2d696c1ed3468dcb62578a3911e687110d463520 is able to eliminate this problem. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 6.12.112
- 6.18.0
- 6.18.1
- 6.18.2
- 6.18.3
- 6.18.4
- 6.18.5
- 6.18.6
- 6.18.7
- 6.18.8
- 6.18.9
- 6.18.10
- 6.18.11
- 6.18.12
- 6.18.13
- 6.18.14
- 6.18.15
- 6.18.16
- 6.18.17
- 6.18.18
- 6.18.19
- 6.18.20
- 6.18.21
- 6.18.22
- 6.18.23
- 6.18.24
- 6.18.25
- 6.18.26
- 6.18.27
- 6.18.28
- 6.18.29
- 6.18.30
- 6.18.31
- 6.18.32
- 6.18.33
- 6.18.34
- 6.18.35
- 6.18.36
- 6.18.37
- 6.18.38
- 6.18.39
- 6.18.40
- 6.18.41
- 6.18.42
- 6.18.43
- 6.18.44
- 6.18.45
- 6.18.46
- 6.18.47
- 6.18.48
- 6.18.49
- 6.18.50
- 6.18.51
- 6.18.52
- 6.18.53
- 6.18.54
- 6.18.55
- 7.2.0
- 7.2.1
- 7.2.2
- 7.2.3
- 7.2.4
- 7.2.5
- 7.2.6
- 7.2.7
- 7.2.8
- 7.2.9
- 7.3-rc1
- 7.3-rc2
- 7.3-rc3
- 7.3-rc4
- 7.3-rc5
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔒VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 9.9VulDB Meta Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Base Score: 9.9
VulDB Temp Score: 9.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv2
| AV | AC | Au | C | I | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 | 💳 |
| Vector | Complexity | Authentication | Confidentiality | Integrity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
| Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: Use after freeCWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒
Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes
Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔒
Upgrade: Kernel 6.12.113/6.18.56/7.2.10/7.3-rc6
Patch: a03ccf1ab77380d4c4a3c56552e12de4a83efa21/0a554901bd227537f79220443b2b36d585d62893/e5aa7fbf7a4446bb89f0b8394b2dfc1a6b6aba5b/2d696c1ed3468dcb62578a3911e687110d463520
Timeline
09/25/2026 CVE reserved10/18/2026 Advisory disclosed
10/18/2026 VulDB entry created
10/18/2026 VulDB entry last update
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2026-98739 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-98739
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-421992
Entry
Created: 10/18/2026 19:42Changes: 10/18/2026 19:42 (59)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
No comments yet. Languages: en.
Please log in to comment.