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CVE Record

CVE-2021-46980: usb: typec: ucsi: Retrieve all the PDOs instead of just the first 4

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: typec: ucsi: Retrieve all the PDOs instead of just the first 4 commit 4dbc6a4ef06d ("usb: typec: ucsi: save power data objects in PD mode") introduced retrieval of the PDOs when connected to a PD-capable source. But only the first 4 PDOs are received since that is the maximum number that can be fetched at a time given the MESSAGE_IN length limitation (16 bytes). However, as per the PD spec a connected source may advertise up to a maximum of 7 PDOs. If such a source is connected it's possible the PPM could have negotiated a power contract with one of the PDOs at index greater than 4, and would be reflected in the request data object's (RDO) object position field. This would result in an out-of-bounds access when the rdo_index() is used to index into the src_pdos array in ucsi_psy_get_voltage_now(). With the help of the UBSAN -fsanitize=array-bounds checker enabled this exact issue is revealed when connecting to a PD source adapter that advertise 5 PDOs and the PPM enters a contract having selected the 5th one. [ 151.545106][ T70] Unexpected kernel BRK exception at EL1 [ 151.545112][ T70] Internal error: BRK handler: f2005512 [#1] PREEMPT SMP ... [ 151.545499][ T70] pc : ucsi_psy_get_prop+0x208/0x20c [ 151.545507][ T70] lr : power_supply_show_property+0xc0/0x328 ... [ 151.545542][ T70] Call trace: [ 151.545544][ T70] ucsi_psy_get_prop+0x208/0x20c [ 151.545546][ T70] power_supply_uevent+0x1a4/0x2f0 [ 151.545550][ T70] dev_uevent+0x200/0x384 [ 151.545555][ T70] kobject_uevent_env+0x1d4/0x7e8 [ 151.545557][ T70] power_supply_changed_work+0x174/0x31c [ 151.545562][ T70] process_one_work+0x244/0x6f0 [ 151.545564][ T70] worker_thread+0x3e0/0xa64 We can resolve this by instead retrieving and storing up to the maximum of 7 PDOs in the con->src_pdos array. This would involve two calls to the GET_PDOS command.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-46980 is a Linux kernel USB Type-C power delivery bug. Certain PD-capable chargers can advertise more power profiles than the driver stored, causing an out-of-bounds kernel access and possible crash when the negotiated profile is beyond the first four.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted stability and availability risk, not a confirmed remote compromise issue. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for devices exposed to untrusted USB-C chargers or accessories.

Technical view

The UCSI driver retrieved only four source PDOs despite USB PD allowing up to seven. If the platform policy manager negotiated a contract using a later PDO, rdo_index() could index past src_pdos in ucsi_psy_get_voltage_now(), observed by UBSAN as a kernel BRK exception.

Likely exposure

Linux systems using affected kernel versions with USB Type-C UCSI support and connected to PD sources advertising five or more PDOs are the relevant exposure set.

Exploitation context

The source describes a crash reproduced by connecting a PD adapter advertising five PDOs. There is no KEV listing and no provided evidence of active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports an out-of-bounds read/access path in the UCSI power supply property flow. The provided material does not include CVSS, CWE, exploit publication, or broader impact beyond crash behavior observed with UBSAN.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a Linux stable kernel containing the referenced UCSI fix.
  • Confirm vendor or distribution kernel advisories for backported fixes.
  • Prioritize laptops, tablets, embedded devices, and servers with exposed USB-C PD ports.
  • Restrict untrusted physical access to USB-C PD ports where patching is delayed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions on systems with USB Type-C UCSI support.
  • Check whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits or a vendor backport.
  • Review crash logs for ucsi_psy_get_prop or UBSAN array-bounds reports.
  • Validate distribution advisories before declaring older vendor kernels unaffected.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

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ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0, 4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0, 4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0, 4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0unaffected
LinuxLinux5.8, 0, 5.10.38, 5.11.22, 5.12.5, 5.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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