Description
The Bluetooth BR/EDR specification up to and including version 5.1 permits sufficiently low encryption key length and does not prevent an attacker from influencing the key length negotiation. This allows practical brute-force attacks (aka "KNOB") that can decrypt traffic and inject arbitrary ciphertext without the victim noticing.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | BR/EDR | 5.1 – ≤ 5.1 | — |
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.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | linux | 5.2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | linux | 5.2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | linux | 5.2.6-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | linux | 3.16.74-1 | DLA-1930-1 |
| Debian 8 | linux-4.9 | 4.9.189-3~deb8u1 | DLA-1919-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 26.04 LTS | linux-vmware | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 24.04 LTS | linux-raspi-realtime | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | linux-riscv +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | linux-gke +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux | 4.15.0-60.67 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-aws | 4.15.0-1047.49 | USN-4118-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 4.15.0-1042.45 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gke-4.15 | 4.15.0-1041.43 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-gke-5.0 | 5.0.0-1020.20~18.04.1 | USN-4147-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-hwe | 5.0.0-31.33~18.04.1 | USN-4147-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-hwe-edge | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-kvm | 4.15.0-1043.43 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-oem | 4.15.0-1056.65 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-oem-osp1 | 5.0.0-1024.27 | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 4.15.0-1022.25 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.15.0-1044.47 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | linux-snapdragon | 4.15.0-1062.69 | — |
Show 6 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux | 4.4.0-159.187 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-aws | 4.4.0-1090.101 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-aws-hwe | 4.15.0-1047.49~16.04.1 | USN-4118-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-azure | 4.15.0-1056.61 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-gcp | 4.15.0-1041.43 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-hwe | 4.15.0-60.67~16.04.1 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-oracle | 4.15.0-1022.25~16.04.1 | USN-4115-1 |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-raspi2 | 4.4.0-1118.127 | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | linux-snapdragon | 4.4.0-1122.128 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS 18.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips +2 | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 18.04 LTS | linux-aws-fips | 4.15.0-2018.18 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 18.04 LTS | linux-azure-fips | 4.15.0-2006.7 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro FIPS-updates 16.04 LTS | linux-fips | 4.4.0-1017.22 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 20.04 LTS | linux-azure-fde-5.15 | 5.15.0-1114.123~20.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | linux | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | linux-aws | 4.4.0-1054.58 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | linux-azure | 4.15.0-1059.64~14.04.1 | — |
| Ubuntu Pro 14.04 LTS | linux-lts-xenial | 4.4.0-164.192~14.04.1 | — |
Red Hat
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 8 | kernel-rt +12 | 4.18.0-147.rt24.93.el8 | RHSA-2019:3309 |
| RHEL 8 | perf +26 | 4.18.0-147.el8 | RHSA-2019:3517 |
| RHEL 7 | kernel +15 | 3.10.0-1062.4.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3217, RHSA-2019:3055 |
| RHEL 7 | kernel-alt | 4.14.0-115.14.1.el7a | RHSA-2019:3217 |
| RHEL 7 | kernel-rt +10 | 3.10.0-1062.4.1.rt56.1027.el7 | RHSA-2019:3089 |
| RHEL 7 | kpatch-patch-3_10_0-1062 | 1-5.el7 | RHSA-2019:3076 |
| RHEL 7 | kpatch-patch-3_10_0-1062_1_1 | 1-4.el7 | RHSA-2019:3076 |
| RHEL 7 | kpatch-patch-3_10_0-1062_1_2 | 1-3.el7 | RHSA-2019:3076 |
| RHEL 7 | perf +2 | 3.10.0-957.38.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3220, RHSA-2019:3217, RHSA-2019:3055 |
Show 11 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHEL 8.0 E4S | perf +18 | 4.18.0-80.15.1.el8_0 | RHSA-2020:0204 |
| RHEL 7.6 EUS | kpatch-patch-3_10_0-957_35_1 | 1-2.el7 | RHSA-2019:3231 |
| RHEL 7.6 EUS | kpatch-patch-3_10_0-957_35_2 | 1-1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3231 |
| RHEL 7.6 EUS | perf +18 | 3.10.0-957.38.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3220 |
| RHEL 7.5 EUS | perf +17 | 3.10.0-862.43.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:2975 |
| RHEL 7.4 TUS | perf +11 | 3.10.0-693.60.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3187 |
| RHEL 7.4 E4S | perf +13 | 3.10.0-693.60.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3187 |
| RHEL 7.4 AUS | perf +11 | 3.10.0-693.60.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3187 |
| RHEL 7.3 TUS | perf +11 | 3.10.0-514.70.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3218 |
| RHEL 7.3 E4S | perf +13 | 3.10.0-514.70.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3218 |
| RHEL 7.3 AUS | perf +11 | 3.10.0-514.70.1.el7 | RHSA-2019:3218 |
| RHEL 7.2 AUS | perf +11 | 3.10.0-327.86.1.el7 | RHSA-2020:1460 |
| Red Hat MRG 2 | kernel-rt +10 | 1:3.10.0-693.60.1.rt56.654.el6rt | RHSA-2019:3165 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 15 SP1 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-8.16.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2658-1 |
| SLES 15 SP1 | kernel-docs +5 | 4.12.14-197.21.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2710-1 |
| SLES 15 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-5.41.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2651-1 |
| SLES 15 | kernel-docs +6 | 4.12.14-150.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2706-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-16.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:0093-1 |
| SLES 12 SP5 | kernel-docs +4 | 4.12.14-122.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:3200-1 |
| SLES 12 SP4 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-6.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2648-1 |
| SLES 12 SP4 | kernel-docs +4 | 4.12.14-95.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2879-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.180-94.107.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SLES 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_29 | 1-4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
Show 19 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP2 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.125.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 |
| SLES 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_33 | 1-3.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.74-60.64.124.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2950-1 |
| SLES 12 SP1 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_37 | 1-2.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2950-1 |
| SLES 12 | kernel-ec2 | 3.12.74-60.64.124.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2950-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP5 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-16.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2020:0093-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP5 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.12.14-122.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:3200-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | kernel-azure +2 | 4.12.14-6.26.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2648-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP4 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.12.14-95.37.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2879-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.180-94.107.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP3 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_29 | 1-4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.125.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_33 | 1-3.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | kernel-xen +3 | 3.12.74-60.64.124.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2950-1 |
| SLES for SAP 12 SP1 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP1_Update_37 | 1-2.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2950-1 |
| SLE Real Time 12 SP4 | kernel-rt +3 | 4.12.14-8.6.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2756-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP1 | kernel-default | 4.12.14-197.21.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2710-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 SP1 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP1_Update_6 | 1-3.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2710-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 | kernel-default | 4.12.14-150.38.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2706-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 15 | kernel-livepatch-SLE15_Update_15 | 1-1.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2706-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP5 | kernel-default | 4.12.14-122.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:3200-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP5 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP5_Update_1 | 1-8.7.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:3200-1 |
| SLE Live Patching 12 SP4 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP4_Update_9 | 1-6.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2879-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP1 | kernel-rt +1 | 4.12.14-14.14.3 | SUSE-SU-2019:3295-1 |
| SUSE Real Time Module 15 SP1 | kernel-syms-rt +1 | 4.12.14-14.14.2 | SUSE-SU-2019:3295-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 8 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.180-94.107.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud Crowbar 8 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_29 | 1-4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 8 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.180-94.107.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 8 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_29 | 1-4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.121-92.125.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 |
| SUSE OpenStack Cloud 7 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP2_Update_33 | 1-3.5.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 |
| SUSE HPE Helion OpenStack 8 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.180-94.107.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE HPE Helion OpenStack 8 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_29 | 1-4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 5 | kernel-syms +2 | 4.4.180-94.107.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
| SUSE Enterprise Storage 5 | kgraft-patch-SLE12-SP3_Update_29 | 1-4.3.1 | SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Leap 15.1 | kernel-docs +8 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.20.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:2308-1 |
| openSUSE Leap 15.0 | kernel-docs +8 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.76.1 | openSUSE-SU-2019:2307-1 |
Oracle Linux
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oracle Linux 8 | perf +19 | 4.18.0-147.el8 | ELSA-2019-3517 |
| Oracle Linux 7 | perf +12 | 3.10.0-1062.4.1.el7 | ELSA-2019-3055 |
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.
GitHub 2 repositories
-
francozappa/knob ★ 192 · Aug 15, 2019
Key Negotiation Of Bluetooth (KNOB) attacks on Bluetooth BR/EDR and BLE [CVE-2019-9506]
-
pr0t31n/Aether-B ★ 0 · Apr 8, 2026
Multi-phase Bluetooth BR/EDR & BLE penetration test orchestrator. Automates KNOB (CVE-2019-9506), BIAS (CVE-2020-10135), BLUFFS, BLE legacy pairing cracking, GATT enumeration, GATTacker MITM, and Blu…
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 36
- USN-4115-1 linux, linux-azure, linux-gcp, linux-gke-4.15, linux-hwe, linux-kvm, linux-oracle, linux-raspi2 vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Sep 7, 2026
- USN-4118-1 linux-aws vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Sep 7, 2026
- USN-4147-1 linux, linux-aws, linux-azure, linux-gcp, linux-gke-5.0, linux-hwe, linux-kvm, linux-raspi2, linux-snapdragon vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Sep 7, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3217 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-alt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 26, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3076 Red Hat Security Advisory: kpatch-patch security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 26, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3089 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 26, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3055 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 26, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3517 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Aug 5, 2026
- RHSA-2020:1460 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2020:0204 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3231 Red Hat Security Advisory: kpatch-patch security update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3218 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3220 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3187 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3165 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:2975 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 29, 2026
- RHSA-2019:3309 Red Hat Security Advisory: kernel-rt security and bug fix update Red Hat Security Advisories (RHSA) · Jun 28, 2026
- DLA-1919-1 linux-4.9 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1930-1 linux - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2308-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2879-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2756-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2950-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2710-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:3295-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2307-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2949-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2648-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2984-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2706-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2658-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:2651-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2020:0093-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2019:3200-1 Security update for the Linux Kernel SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 2, 2025
- ELSA-2019-3517 Important: kernel security, bug fix, and enhancement update (Oracle Linux 8) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Nov 14, 2019
- ELSA-2019-3055 Important: kernel security and bug fix update (Oracle Linux 7) Oracle Linux Security Advisories (ELSA) · Oct 16, 2019
References
- VU#918987 third-party-advisory
- http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/publications/publication12404-abstract.html
- https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenixsecurity19/presentation/antonioli
- https://www.bluetooth.com/security/statement-key-negotiation-of-bluetooth/
- 20190816 APPLE-SA-2019-8-13-3 Additional information for APPLE-SA-2019-7-22-4 watchOS 5.3 mailing-list
- 20190816 APPLE-SA-2019-8-13-1 Additional information for APPLE-SA-2019-7-22-2 macOS Mojave 10.14.6, Security Update 2019-004 High Sierra, Security Update 2019-004 Sierra mailing-list
- 20190816 APPLE-SA-2019-8-13-2 Additional information for APPLE-SA-2019-7-22-1 iOS 12.4 mailing-list
- 20190816 APPLE-SA-2019-8-13-4 Additional information for APPLE-SA-2019-7-22-5 tvOS 12.4 mailing-list
- http://www.huawei.com/en/psirt/security-advisories/huawei-sa-20190828-01-knob-en
- USN-4115-1 vendor-advisory
- USN-4118-1 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190914 [SECURITY] [DLA 1919-1] linux-4.9 security update mailing-list
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190915 [SECURITY] [DLA 1919-2] linux-4.9 security update mailing-list
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190925 [SECURITY] [DLA 1930-1] linux security update mailing-list
- USN-4147-1 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:2975 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2307 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2019:2308 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3076 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3055 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3089 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3187 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3165 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3217 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3220 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3231 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3218 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3309 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2019:3517 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2020:0204 vendor-advisory