CVE-2026-98633 Linux CVE debrief

Who should care

Linux kernel maintainers, Linux distribution maintainers, and users of Linux-based systems with Bluetooth functionality should assess exposure and verify patch deployment to prevent potential memory leaks and ensure recovery functionality. They should also review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.

Why it matters

Linux kernel maintainers and users should assess exposure and verify patch deployment to prevent potential memory leaks and ensure recovery functionality.

• Memory leak potentially leading to resource exhaustion.
• Prevention of nxp_set_ind_reset recovery functionality.

Technical summary

The Linux kernel's Bluetooth btnxpuart driver has a vulnerability that causes a memory leak when CONFIG_DEV_COREDUMP is not enabled. The hci_devcd_append function returns -EOPNOTSUPP without freeing the skb argument, leading to a memory leak and preventing nxp_set_ind_reset from being called for recovery. This issue affects Linux kernel maintainers, Linux distribution maintainers, and users of Linux-based systems with Bluetooth functionality. The vulnerability can cause memory leaks and prevent nxp_set_ind_reset from being called for recovery.

Defensive priority

Linux kernel maintainers and users should assess exposure and verify patch deployment.

Recommended defensive actions

• Assess exposure by checking if the Linux kernel version in use is affected.
• Verify patch deployment by reviewing commit history and applying the fix.
• Monitor system logs for potential memory leak issues.
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review.
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented.
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.

Evidence notes

The vulnerability was resolved by guarding the hci_devcd_append call with IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_DEV_COREDUMP). The fix prevents memory leaks and ensures recovery functionality. Linux kernel maintainers and users should assess exposure and verify patch deployment to prevent potential memory leaks and ensure recovery functionality. The CVE record was published on 2026-10-18T16:17:16.410Z and has not been modified since then.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.