CVE-2026-46123: Bluetooth: virtio_bt: clamp rx length before skb_put
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Bluetooth: virtio_bt: clamp rx length before skb_put
virtbt_rx_work() calls skb_put(skb, len) where len comes directly
from virtqueue_get_buf() with no validation against the buffer we
posted to the device. The RX skb is allocated in virtbt_add_inbuf()
and exposed to virtio as exactly 1000 bytes via sg_init_one().
Checking len against skb_tailroom(skb) is not sufficient because
alloc_skb() can leave more tailroom than the 1000 bytes actually
handed to the device. A malicious or buggy backend can therefore
report used.len between 1001 and skb_tailroom(skb), causing skb_put()
to include uninitialized kernel heap bytes that were never written by
the device.
The same path also accepts len == 0, in which case skb_put(skb, 0)
leaves the skb empty but virtbt_rx_handle() still reads the pkt_type
byte from skb->data, consuming uninitialized memory.
Define VIRTBT_RX_BUF_SIZE once and reuse it in alloc_skb() and
sg_init_one(), and gate virtbt_rx_work() on that same constant so
the bound checked matches the buffer actually exposed to the device.
Reject used.len == 0 in the same gate so an empty completion can
no longer reach virtbt_rx_handle().
Use bt_dev_err_ratelimited() because the length value comes from an
untrusted backend that can otherwise flood the kernel log.
Same class of bug as commit c04db81cd028 ("net/9p: Fix buffer
overflow in USB transport layer"), which hardened the USB 9p
transport against unchecked device-reported length.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Linux's virtual Bluetooth receive path can make the kernel process memory the virtual device never wrote. A malicious or defective backend could expose uninitialized kernel data or disrupt the system. Risk is concentrated in environments using virtio Bluetooth, especially where the backend is not fully trusted.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority targeted update, not an internet-wide emergency. Accelerate remediation where virtual Bluetooth is enabled or backend trust is uncertain. Standard patch cadence may be reasonable for systems proven not to use virtio_bt, but document that determination and monitor vendor guidance.
Technical view
virtbt_rx_work() trusted the length returned by virtqueue_get_buf() despite exposing only a 1,000-byte receive buffer. Lengths above 1,000 could extend the packet into uninitialized heap memory, while zero-length completions allowed virtbt_rx_handle() to read an uninitialized packet-type byte. The fix validates lengths against the actual exposed buffer size and rejects zero.
Likely exposure
Exposure requires an affected Linux kernel using the virtio_bt receive path and a malicious or buggy virtual Bluetooth backend. Systems without virtio Bluetooth usage are unlikely to reach this code. The supplied version data is complex, so distribution backports should be checked against the referenced commits rather than version numbers alone.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector indicates local attack proximity, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, with high confidentiality and availability impact. The source bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. Successful abuse depends on control or malfunction of the virtio backend.
Researcher notes
The defect is an unchecked device-reported length and empty-completion handling issue, not a demonstrated overwrite. The described consequences are inclusion or consumption of uninitialized kernel heap memory, supporting confidentiality and availability concerns. Integrity impact is scored none. The supplied sources do not establish code execution, cross-tenant exploitation, affected distributions, or active exploitation.
Mitigation direction
Apply a vendor-supported kernel update containing the appropriate referenced stable fix.
Check distribution advisories because vendors may backport fixes without changing to an obvious upstream version.
Prioritize virtualized systems that actively expose virtio Bluetooth to guests.
Follow vendor guidance if an update is not immediately available; no source-backed workaround is provided.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux systems and identify whether the virtio_bt driver is present and actively used.
Compare installed kernel builds and vendor backports with the referenced stable commits.
Confirm the updated receive path rejects zero lengths and lengths exceeding 1,000 bytes.
Review kernel logs for rate-limited virtio Bluetooth invalid-length errors after updating.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
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