CVE-2022-50166: Bluetooth: When HCI work queue is drained, only queue chained work
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Bluetooth: When HCI work queue is drained, only queue chained work
The HCI command, event, and data packet processing workqueue is drained
to avoid deadlock in commit
76727c02c1e1 ("Bluetooth: Call drain_workqueue() before resetting state").
There is another delayed work, which will queue command to this drained
workqueue. Which results in the following error report:
Bluetooth: hci2: command 0x040f tx timeout
WARNING: CPU: 1 PID: 18374 at kernel/workqueue.c:1438 __queue_work+0xdad/0x1140
Workqueue: events hci_cmd_timeout
RIP: 0010:__queue_work+0xdad/0x1140
RSP: 0000:ffffc90002cffc60 EFLAGS: 00010093
RAX: 0000000000000000 RBX: ffff8880b9d3ec00 RCX: 0000000000000000
RDX: ffff888024ba0000 RSI: ffffffff814e048d RDI: ffff8880b9d3ec08
RBP: 0000000000000008 R08: 0000000000000000 R09: 00000000b9d39700
R10: ffffffff814f73c6 R11: 0000000000000000 R12: ffff88807cce4c60
R13: 0000000000000000 R14: ffff8880796d8800 R15: ffff8880796d8800
FS: 0000000000000000(0000) GS:ffff8880b9d00000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000
CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033
CR2: 000000c0174b4000 CR3: 000000007cae9000 CR4: 00000000003506e0
DR0: 0000000000000000 DR1: 0000000000000000 DR2: 0000000000000000
DR3: 0000000000000000 DR6: 00000000fffe0ff0 DR7: 0000000000000400
Call Trace:
<TASK>
? queue_work_on+0xcb/0x110
? lockdep_hardirqs_off+0x90/0xd0
queue_work_on+0xee/0x110
process_one_work+0x996/0x1610
? pwq_dec_nr_in_flight+0x2a0/0x2a0
? rwlock_bug.part.0+0x90/0x90
? _raw_spin_lock_irq+0x41/0x50
worker_thread+0x665/0x1080
? process_one_work+0x1610/0x1610
kthread+0x2e9/0x3a0
? kthread_complete_and_exit+0x40/0x40
ret_from_fork+0x1f/0x30
</TASK>
To fix this, we can add a new HCI_DRAIN_WQ flag, and don't queue the
timeout workqueue while command workqueue is draining.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel Bluetooth flaw is a reliability bug in how Bluetooth HCI work is queued while a workqueue is being drained. The public record shows kernel warnings and command timeouts, but does not provide CVSS, a CWE, or evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not an emergency based on supplied evidence. Prioritize patching for fleets using Bluetooth or embedded Linux systems where Bluetooth reliability matters.
Technical view
The issue occurs when delayed Bluetooth HCI timeout work queues commands onto an HCI command workqueue that is being drained. The kernel fix adds an HCI_DRAIN_WQ state to prevent timeout work from being queued during command workqueue draining.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with Bluetooth HCI functionality present or enabled. The source bundle lists Linux as affected but does not provide distribution-specific packages, configurations, or CPEs.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status is false, and the supplied sources do not state active exploitation or provide an exploit scenario. The evidence describes kernel warning and timeout behavior rather than a confirmed attacker workflow.
Researcher notes
The public data is thin: no CVSS, CWE, CPEs, exploitability details, or distribution mapping are supplied. Analysis should focus on kernel lineage, Bluetooth HCI usage, and whether stable commit fixes were backported.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates containing the referenced stable Linux fixes.
Prioritize systems where Bluetooth is enabled, exposed, or operationally important.
Monitor Linux distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
If patching is delayed, review vendor guidance for safe Bluetooth service restrictions.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions against the affected version data in the CVE record.
Check whether Bluetooth HCI hardware, drivers, or services are enabled on candidate systems.
Confirm installed kernels include the referenced stable commits or distribution backports.
Review logs for Bluetooth HCI command timeout warnings on affected systems.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2022-50166 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Jun 18, 2025, 11:03 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.