Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

Bluetooth: hci: validate codec capability element length

Read Local Codec Capabilities returns a sequence of capability elements.
Each element starts with a one-byte length followed by that many payload
bytes.

hci_read_codec_capabilities() checks that the skb contains the length
byte, but then validates only caps->len against the remaining skb
length. A malformed controller response with one remaining byte and
caps->len set to one passes that check even though the element needs two
bytes. The parser then records a two-byte capability and copies one
byte beyond the advertised response payload into the codec list.

Validate the full element size, including the length byte, before adding
it to the accumulated capability length. This preserves all well-formed
capability elements and drops only truncated controller responses.
Published: 2026-08-15
Score: 8.8 High
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: n/a
Action: n/a
AI Analysis

Impact

A flaw in the Linux kernel BT HCI stack’s codec capability parsing allows a malformed controller response to bypass length validation. The kernel copies payload bytes beyond the advertised length, corrupting memory. This bug can lead to crashes or facilitate privilege escalation when an attacker can send crafted responses. The weakness stems from inadequate bounds checking (buffer overflow).

Affected Systems

The issue exists in all Linux kernel releases that contain the Bluetooth HCI code prior to the fix that added full element size validation. Consequently, most current distributions running unpatched kernels are affected. The reference commits show the code was corrected in a later kernel update; administrators should confirm which kernel versions include the patch.

Risk and Exploitability

The EPSS score of < 1% indicates a very low yet non‑zero probability of exploitation, while the CVSS score of 8.8 highlights a high severity due to potential memory corruption. The vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV, implying no known widespread exploitation. The likely attack vector is local, requiring proximity to the target device or control over a nearby or compromised wireless adapter.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 17, 2026 at 14:48 UTC.

Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

  • Upgrade the Linux kernel to a version that includes the hci_read_codec_capabilities length validation patch (for example, kernel 6.x or newer).
  • If an upgrade is not immediately possible, disable Bluetooth functionality when it is not required to reduce the attack surface.
  • On systems that must retain Bluetooth, restrict pairing to only authorized devices and consider disabling or limiting protocols that expose the vulnerable function to mitigate the risk.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 17, 2026 at 14:48 UTC.

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories yet.

History

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:15:00 +0000


Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-787

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-119
CWE-20

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-119
CWE-20

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 06:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: hci: validate codec capability element length Read Local Codec Capabilities returns a sequence of capability elements. Each element starts with a one-byte length followed by that many payload bytes. hci_read_codec_capabilities() checks that the skb contains the length byte, but then validates only caps->len against the remaining skb length. A malformed controller response with one remaining byte and caps->len set to one passes that check even though the element needs two bytes. The parser then records a two-byte capability and copies one byte beyond the advertised response payload into the codec list. Validate the full element size, including the length byte, before adding it to the accumulated capability length. This preserves all well-formed capability elements and drops only truncated controller responses.
Title Bluetooth: hci: validate codec capability element length
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Subscriptions

Linux Linux Kernel
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-08-17T05:45:37.190Z

Reserved: 2026-08-15T05:44:03.882Z

Link: CVE-2026-74300

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-08-15T06:22:29.610

Modified: 2026-08-17T06:19:24.093

Link: CVE-2026-74300

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-08-15T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-74300 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-08-17T15:00:08Z

Weaknesses