Description
The bluez_sock_create function in the Bluetooth stack for Linux kernel 2.4.6 through 2.4.30-rc1 and 2.6 through 2.6.11.5 allows local users to gain privileges via (1) socket or (2) socketpair call with a negative protocol value.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 4 | kernel +6 | 2.6.9-5.0.5.EL | RHSA-2005:366 |
| RHEL 3 | kernel +8 | 2.4.21-27.0.4.EL | RHSA-2005:293 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 4
- Linux Kernel 2.4.x/2.6.x - 'Bluez' BlueTooth Signed Buffer Index Privilege Escalation (2) EDB-926 · local · Oct 26, 2005 · verified
- Linux Kernel 2.4.30/2.6.11.5 - BlueTooth 'bluez_sock_create' Local Privilege Escalation EDB-25289 · local · Oct 19, 2005 · verified
- Linux Kernel 2.4.x/2.6.x - BlueTooth Signed Buffer Index Privilege Escalation (1) EDB-25288 · local · Apr 8, 2005 · verified
- Linux Kernel 2.4.x/2.6.x - BlueTooth Signed Buffer Index (PoC) EDB-25287 · dos · Mar 28, 2005 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 2
- RHSA-2005:366 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
- RHSA-2005:293 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 26, 2026
References
- kernel-bluezsockcreate-integer-underflow(19844) vdb-entry
- RHSA-2005:366 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:283 vendor-advisory
- 20050327 local root security bug in linux >= 2.4.6 <= 2.4.30-rc1 and 2.6.x.y <= 2.6.11.5 mailing-list
- oval:org.mitre.oval:def:11719 vdb-entry signature
- 12911 vdb-entry
- FLSA:152532 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:293 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2005:284 vendor-advisory
- 20050327 local root security bug in linux >= 2.4.6 <= 2.4.30-rc1 and 2.6.x.y <= 2.6.11.5 mailing-list