CVE-2024-53070

What it actually does

Race condition in dwc3 USB controller driver allows kernel register access during system suspend when device is already runtime suspended, or after dwc3_core_exit, resulting in fault or crash.

Why it matters to the business

Unexpected system crashes or instability on affected Linux systems during suspend/resume cycles, leading to downtime and potential data loss on servers, desktops, and embedded devices using dwc3 hardware; high urgency for legacy Ubuntu 14.04/16.04 deployments still in use.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker with local access or the ability to influence power management triggers runtime suspend of the dwc3 device followed by a system suspend event; the flawed suspend path attempts invalid register reads/writes, causing kernel panic. Threat actors in 2024 zero-day campaigns and those targeting Linux kernel resource issues could chain this into broader denial-of-service or stability attacks.

How to fix it

Upgrade to fixed kernel versions: linux 3.13.0-79.123 or later on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, 4.4.0-2.16 or later on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, and corresponding fixed packages for linux-aws, linux-hwe, linux-gke, linux-raspi2, and linux-snapdragon as listed in the per-package fixes. Reboot after installation.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm kernel version matches or exceeds the listed fixed packages for the specific Ubuntu release; test suspend/resume cycles with dwc3 devices under runtime suspend conditions; monitor dmesg for absence of dwc3 register access faults during suspend.

Typical attack path

1. Gain local execution or control over power management events on target system
2. Force dwc3 USB device into runtime suspended state
3. Initiate system suspend (e.g., via ACPI or userspace trigger)
4. Trigger kernel fault during register access in flawed suspend path

How to detect it

Review kernel logs (dmesg, /var/log/kern.log) around suspend events for dwc3 register access errors or oops messages; correlate with systemd suspend logs and USB runtime PM state changes.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize patching all affected Ubuntu 14.04/16.04 systems within CISA-style timelines given prevalence in long-lived deployments
• Apply kernel updates and verify with package manager before next maintenance window
• Disable runtime suspend for dwc3 devices via sysfs as temporary mitigation if immediate reboot is not possible
• Audit power management scripts and services for automated suspend triggers