CVE-2026-23146
Published: February 14, 2026· Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Official Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Bluetooth: hci_uart: fix null-ptr-deref in hci_uart_write_work
hci_uart_set_proto() sets HCI_UART_PROTO_INIT before calling
hci_uart_register_dev(), which calls proto->open() to initialize
hu->priv. However, if a TTY write wakeup occurs during this window,
hci_uart_tx_wakeup() may schedule write_work before hu->priv is
initialized, leading to a NULL pointer dereference in
hci_uart_write_work() when proto->dequeue() accesses hu->priv.
The race condition is:
CPU0 CPU1
---- ----
hci_uart_set_proto()
set_bit(HCI_UART_PROTO_INIT)
hci_uart_register_dev()
tty write wakeup
hci_uart_tty_wakeup()
hci_uart_tx_wakeup()
schedule_work(&hu->write_work)
proto->open(hu)
// initializes hu->priv
hci_uart_write_work()
hci_uart_dequeue()
proto->dequeue(hu)
// accesses hu->priv (NULL!)
Fix this by moving set_bit(HCI_UART_PROTO_INIT) after proto->open()
succeeds, ensuring hu->priv is initialized before any work can be
scheduled.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2026-23146 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
Affected Vendors & Products
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (7)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2026-23146 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts