Cloudanix VulnDB

CVE-2021-47268

None

CVSS

—

EPSS

0.2%

Published

May 21, 2024

CISA due date

—

Cloudanix analysis

Schedule a fix SSVC: Track

A flaw in how Linux handles certain USB connections can cause the whole computer to crash when those connections are removed or their software drivers are unloaded.

Exploitation
Local Privilege
Attacker needs
Local User
Complexity
Moderate
Impact
Denial Of Service
Component
OS kernel
Class
Use After Free
Remediation
Patch
Effort
Medium
Patch risk
Low

What it actually does

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel TCPM subsystem caused by pending hrtimers (VDM and state machine) firing after the associated kthread_worker has been destroyed during tcpm port unregistration, resulting in invalid memory access and kernel oops.

Why it matters to the business

Potential for system crashes, I/O errors, and denial of service on affected Linux systems during USB Type-C module unload or port teardown; low exploitability and no known active campaigns reduce immediate risk but still require patching in USB-enabled environments.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker triggers repeated registration and unregistration of a tcpm port (via crafted USB Type-C hardware or driver unload sequences) while timers remain active; the timer callback later executes on freed structures, dereferencing invalid memory during spinlock operations.

How to fix it

Upgrade to a Linux kernel containing the fix that cancels the two hrtimers on tcpm port unregistration; apply the stable backport corresponding to the 2021-era commit for the running kernel series.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm the patch is present by inspecting the tcpm_unregister_port function for explicit hrtimer_cancel calls on vdm and state_machine timers; reproduce module unload under load and verify absence of paging faults referencing state_machine_timer_handler.

Typical attack path

  1. Attach or manipulate USB Type-C device to engage TCPM state machine
  2. Force tcpm port unregistration (module unload or hot-unplug)
  3. Leave VDM or state machine hrtimers pending
  4. Timer expires after kthread_worker destruction
  5. Kernel dereferences freed memory leading to panic

How to detect it

Search kernel logs for Oops entries containing queued_spin_lock_slowpath, state_machine_timer_handler, and references to freed tcpm port structures; correlate with module unload events or USB Type-C hot-unplug activity.

  • state_machine_timer_handler+0x20/0x30
  • queued_spin_lock_slowpath+0x1a0/0x390
  • Unable to handle kernel paging request at virtual address
  • kthread_queue_work+0x30/0xc0

What your security team should do

  • Prioritize kernel updates on systems exposing USB Type-C or TCPM drivers
  • Monitor for kernel oops involving queued_spin_lock_slowpath and state_machine_timer_handler
  • Test module unload paths in staging environments before production rollout
  • Apply the fix even on older kernels given the 882-day disclosure window

The record

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: typec: tcpm: cancel vdm and state machine hrtimer when unregister tcpm port A pending hrtimer may expire after the kthread_worker of tcpm port is destroyed, see below kernel dump when do module unload, fix it by cancel the 2 hrtimers. [ 111.517018] Unable to handle kernel paging request at virtual address ffff8000118cb880 [ 111.518786] blk_update_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 60061185 op 0x0:(READ) flags 0x0 phys_seg 1 prio class 0 [ 111.526594] Mem abort info: [ 111.526597] ESR = 0x96000047 [ 111.526600] EC = 0x25: DABT (current EL), IL = 32 bits [ 111.526604] SET = 0, FnV = 0 [ 111.526607] EA = 0, S1PTW = 0 [ 111.526610] Data abort info: [ 111.526612] ISV = 0, ISS = 0x00000047 [ 111.526615] CM = 0, WnR = 1 [ 111.526619] swapper pgtable: 4k pages, 48-bit VAs, pgdp=0000000041d75000 [ 111.526623] [ffff8000118cb880] pgd=10000001bffff003, p4d=10000001bffff003, pud=10000001bfffe003, pmd=10000001bfffa003, pte=0000000000000000 [ 111.526642] Internal error: Oops: 96000047 [#1] PREEMPT SMP [ 111.526647] Modules linked in: dwc3_imx8mp dwc3 phy_fsl_imx8mq_usb [last unloaded: tcpci] [ 111.526663] CPU: 0 PID: 0 Comm: swapper/0 Not tainted 5.13.0-rc4-00927-gebbe9dbd802c-dirty #36 [ 111.526670] Hardware name: NXP i.MX8MPlus EVK board (DT) [ 111.526674] pstate: 800000c5 (Nzcv daIF -PAN -UAO -TCO BTYPE=--) [ 111.526681] pc : queued_spin_lock_slowpath+0x1a0/0x390 [ 111.526695] lr : _raw_spin_lock_irqsave+0x88/0xb4 [ 111.526703] sp : ffff800010003e20 [ 111.526706] x29: ffff800010003e20 x28: ffff00017f380180 [ 111.537156] buffer_io_error: 6 callbacks suppressed [ 111.537162] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040704, async page read [ 111.539932] x27: ffff00017f3801c0 [ 111.539938] x26: ffff800010ba2490 x25: 0000000000000000 x24: 0000000000000001 [ 111.543025] blk_update_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 60061186 op 0x0:(READ) flags 0x0 phys_seg 7 prio class 0 [ 111.548304] [ 111.548306] x23: 00000000000000c0 x22: ffff0000c2a9f184 x21: ffff00017f380180 [ 111.551374] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040705, async page read [ 111.554499] [ 111.554503] x20: ffff0000c5f14210 x19: 00000000000000c0 x18: 0000000000000000 [ 111.557391] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040706, async page read [ 111.561218] [ 111.561222] x17: 0000000000000000 x16: 0000000000000000 x15: 0000000000000000 [ 111.564205] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040707, async page read [ 111.570887] x14: 00000000000000f5 x13: 0000000000000001 x12: 0000000000000040 [ 111.570902] x11: ffff0000c05ac6d8 [ 111.583420] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040708, async page read [ 111.588978] x10: 0000000000000000 x9 : 0000000000040000 [ 111.588988] x8 : 0000000000000000 [ 111.597173] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040709, async page read [ 111.605766] x7 : ffff00017f384880 x6 : ffff8000118cb880 [ 111.605777] x5 : ffff00017f384880 [ 111.611094] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040710, async page read [ 111.617086] x4 : 0000000000000000 x3 : ffff0000c2a9f184 [ 111.617096] x2 : ffff8000118cb880 [ 111.622242] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040711, async page read [ 111.626927] x1 : ffff8000118cb880 x0 : ffff00017f384888 [ 111.626938] Call trace: [ 111.626942] queued_spin_lock_slowpath+0x1a0/0x390 [ 111.795809] kthread_queue_work+0x30/0xc0 [ 111.799828] state_machine_timer_handler+0x20/0x30 [ 111.804624] __hrtimer_run_queues+0x140/0x1e0 [ 111.808990] hrtimer_interrupt+0xec/0x2c0 [ 111.813004] arch_timer_handler_phys+0x38/0x50 [ 111.817456] handle_percpu_devid_irq+0x88/0x150 [ 111.821991] __handle_domain_irq+0x80/0xe0 [ 111.826093] gic_handle_irq+0xc0/0x140 [ 111.829848] el1_irq+0xbc/0x154 [ 111.832991] arch_cpu_idle+0x1c/0x2c [ 111.836572] default_idle_call+0x24/0x6c [ 111.840497] do_idle+0x238/0x2ac [ 1 ---truncated---

Affected packages

Ecosystem Package Introduced Fixed
Debian:11 linux 0 5.10.46-1
Debian:12 linux 0 5.10.46-1
Debian:13 linux 0 5.10.46-1
Ubuntu:16.04:LTS linux-hwe-edge 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-aws-5.0 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-aws-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-azure 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-azure-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-azure-edge 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-gcp 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-gke-4.15 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-gke-5.4 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-gkeop-5.4 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-hwe 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-hwe-edge 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-oem 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.0 0 No fix
Ubuntu:18.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux 0 5.4.0-9.12
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-aws 0 5.4.0-1005.5
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.15 0 5.15.0-1014.18~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure 0 5.4.0-1006.6
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.15 0 5.15.0-1007.8~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure-fde 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-azure-fde-5.15 0 5.15.0-1019.24~20.04.1.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-bluefield 0 5.4.0-1007.10
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gcp 0 5.4.0-1005.5
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.15 0 5.15.0-1006.9~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gke 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gke-5.15 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gkeop 0 5.4.0-1008.9
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-gkeop-5.15 0 5.15.0-1003.5~20.04.2
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.15 0 5.15.0-33.34~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-ibm 0 5.4.0-1003.4
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-ibm-5.15 0 5.15.0-1033.36~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-intel-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-intel-iotg-5.15 0 5.15.0-1003.5~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-iot 0 5.4.0-1001.3
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-kvm 0 5.4.0-1004.4
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 0 5.15.0-33.34~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.10 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.14 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.6 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oracle 0 5.4.0-1005.5
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.15 0 5.15.0-1007.9~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-raspi 0 5.4.0-1007.7
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-raspi2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-riscv 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-riscv-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-riscv-5.15 0 5.15.0-1015.17~20.04.1
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-riscv-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:20.04:LTS linux-xilinx-zynqmp 0 5.4.0-1020.24
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux 0 5.13.0-19.19
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-allwinner-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-aws 0 5.13.0-1005.6
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-aws-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-aws-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-aws-6.5 0 6.5.0-1008.8~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure 0 5.13.0-1006.7
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure-6.5 0 6.5.0-1007.7~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure-fde 0 5.15.0-1019.24.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure-fde-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-azure-fde-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-gcp 0 5.13.0-1005.6
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-gcp-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-gcp-6.5 0 6.5.0-1010.10~22.04.3
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-gke 0 5.15.0-1002.2
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-gkeop 0 5.15.0-1001.2
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-hwe-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-hwe-6.5 0 6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-ibm 0 5.15.0-1002.2
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-intel-iotg 0 5.15.0-1004.6
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-kvm 0 5.13.0-1004.4
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-lowlatency 0 5.15.0-22.22
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-lowlatency-hwe-6.5 0 6.5.0-14.14.1~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-nvidia 0 5.15.0-1005.5
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-nvidia-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-nvidia-6.5 0 6.5.0-1004.4
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-nvidia-6.8 0 6.8.0-1008.8~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-oem-5.17 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-oem-6.0 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-oem-6.1 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-oem-6.5 0 6.5.0-1003.3
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-oracle 0 5.13.0-1008.10
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-oracle-6.5 0 6.5.0-1013.13~22.04.4
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-raspi 0 5.13.0-1008.9
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-riscv 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-riscv-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-riscv-6.5 0 6.5.0-17.17.1.1~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-starfive-5.19 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-starfive-6.2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-starfive-6.5 0 6.5.0-1007.8~22.04.1
Ubuntu:22.04:LTS linux-xilinx-zynqmp 0 5.15.0-1022.26
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux 0 6.5.0-9.9
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-aws 0 6.5.0-1008.8
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-azure 0 6.5.0-1007.7
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-gcp 0 6.5.0-1007.7
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-gke 0 6.8.0-1003.5
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-gkeop 0 6.8.0-1001.3
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-ibm 0 6.5.0-1009.9
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-lowlatency 0 6.5.0-9.9.1
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-nvidia 0 6.8.0-1007.7
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-nvidia-lowlatency 0 6.8.0-1009.9.1
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-oem-6.8 0 6.8.0-1003.3
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-oracle 0 6.5.0-1010.10
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-raspi 0 6.5.0-1005.7
Ubuntu:24.04:LTS linux-riscv 0 6.5.0-9.9.1
Ubuntu:Pro:16.04:LTS linux-hwe-edge 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-aws-5.0 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-aws-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-azure 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-azure-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-azure-edge 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-gcp 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-gke-4.15 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-gke-5.4 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-gkeop-5.4 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-hwe 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-hwe-edge 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-oem 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.0 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.3 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-aws-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-azure-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-azure-fde 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-gke 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-gke-5.15 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-hwe-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-intel-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.10 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.14 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oem-5.6 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.13 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-oracle-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-raspi2 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-riscv 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-riscv-5.11 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS linux-riscv-5.8 0 No fix
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:18.04:LTS linux-aws-fips 0 4.15.0-2000.4
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:18.04:LTS linux-azure-fips 0 4.15.0-1002.2
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:18.04:LTS linux-fips 0 4.15.0-1027.32
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:18.04:LTS linux-gcp-fips 0 4.15.0-2013.14
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:20.04:LTS linux-aws-fips 0 5.4.0-1021.21+fips2
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:20.04:LTS linux-azure-fips 0 5.4.0-1022.22+fips1
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:20.04:LTS linux-fips 0 5.4.0-1026.30
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS-updates:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-fips 0 5.4.0-1021.21+fips1
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:16.04:LTS linux-fips 0 4.4.0-1003.3
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:18.04:LTS linux-aws-fips 0 4.15.0-2000.4
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:18.04:LTS linux-azure-fips 0 4.15.0-1002.2
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:18.04:LTS linux-fips 0 4.15.0-1011.12
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:18.04:LTS linux-gcp-fips 0 4.15.0-1001.1
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:20.04:LTS linux-aws-fips 0 5.4.0-1021.21+fips2
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:20.04:LTS linux-azure-fips 0 5.4.0-1022.22+fips1
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:20.04:LTS linux-fips 0 5.4.0-1007.8
Ubuntu:Pro:FIPS:20.04:LTS linux-gcp-fips 0 5.4.0-1021.21+fips1

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