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CVE Record

CVE-2026-46186: Bluetooth: virtio_bt: validate rx pkt_type header length

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: Bluetooth: virtio_bt: validate rx pkt_type header length virtbt_rx_handle() reads the leading pkt_type byte from the RX skb and forwards the remainder to hci_recv_frame() for every event/ACL/SCO/ISO type, without checking that the remaining payload is at least the fixed HCI header for that type. After the preceding patch bounds the backend-supplied used.len to [1, VIRTBT_RX_BUF_SIZE], a one-byte completion still reaches hci_recv_frame() with skb->len already pulled to 0. If the byte happened to be HCI_ACLDATA_PKT, the ACL-vs-ISO classification fast-path in hci_dev_classify_pkt_type() dereferences hci_acl_hdr(skb)->handle whenever the HCI device has an active CIS_LINK, BIS_LINK, or PA_LINK connection, reading two bytes of uninitialized RX-buffer data. The same hazard exists for every packet type the driver accepts because none of the switch cases in virtbt_rx_handle() check skb->len against the per-type minimum HCI header size before handing the frame to the core. After stripping pkt_type, require skb->len to cover the fixed header size for the selected type (event 2, ACL 4, SCO 3, ISO 4) before calling hci_recv_frame(); drop ratelimited otherwise. Unknown pkt_type values still take the original kfree_skb() default path. Use bt_dev_err_ratelimited() because both the length and pkt_type values come from an untrusted backend that can otherwise flood the kernel log.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue affects the virtio Bluetooth receive path. A backend can provide packets that are too short, causing the kernel to read uninitialized receive-buffer data. Business impact is most relevant for virtualized environments using virtio Bluetooth with an untrusted or compromised backend.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not a broad internet-facing emergency. Prioritize environments that use virtual Bluetooth or have less trusted virtualization boundaries. Track vendor kernel updates and validate exposure before scheduling urgent downtime.

Technical view

virtbt_rx_handle() stripped the packet type byte and passed event, ACL, SCO, or ISO frames to hci_recv_frame() without verifying each fixed HCI header length. Short backend-supplied packets could reach Bluetooth core logic and trigger uninitialized data reads. The fix enforces per-type minimum lengths before forwarding.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using the virtio_bt driver, especially virtualized guests receiving Bluetooth traffic from a backend. Systems without virtio Bluetooth or without backend-controlled RX input are unlikely to be exposed based on the supplied sources.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation evidence is incomplete. The described condition depends on malformed backend-supplied receive packets and, for the ACL fast path example, active CIS_LINK, BIS_LINK, or PA_LINK connection state.

Researcher notes

The source describes a missing length validation flaw after pkt_type removal, with per-type minimums: event 2, ACL 4, SCO 3, ISO 4. No CVSS, CWE, proof of exploitation, or distribution-specific package status is provided in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the relevant Linux stable kernel update containing the referenced fix commits.
  • Prioritize virtualized hosts or guests where virtio Bluetooth is enabled.
  • Disable virtio Bluetooth where it is unnecessary and supported by operations policy.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for packaged kernel availability and backport status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernels and confirm whether virtio_bt is built, loaded, or enabled.
  • Map running kernel versions to vendor advisories or the referenced stable commits.
  • Review virtualization configurations for virtio Bluetooth exposure to untrusted backends.
  • Check kernel logs for repeated virtio Bluetooth malformed packet errors after patching.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

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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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

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
8Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxcf2719a21fdb9d4c8e9c834d279163609bef575d, 160fbcf3bfb93c3c086427f9f4c8bc70f217e9be, 160fbcf3bfb93c3c086427f9f4c8bc70f217e9be, 160fbcf3bfb93c3c086427f9f4c8bc70f217e9be, 160fbcf3bfb93c3c086427f9f4c8bc70f217e9be, 160fbcf3bfb93c3c086427f9f4c8bc70f217e9be, 160fbcf3bfb93c3c086427f9f4c8bc70f217e9be, 9b67438e315b925a699f0178f4a48baf3d2d6ef4, 5.15.78, 6.0.8unaffected
LinuxLinux6.1, 0, 5.15.209, 6.1.175, 6.6.140, 6.12.88, 6.18.30, 7.0.7, 7.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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