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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47267: usb: fix various gadget panics on 10gbps cabling

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: fix various gadget panics on 10gbps cabling usb_assign_descriptors() is called with 5 parameters, the last 4 of which are the usb_descriptor_header for: full-speed (USB1.1 - 12Mbps [including USB1.0 low-speed @ 1.5Mbps), high-speed (USB2.0 - 480Mbps), super-speed (USB3.0 - 5Gbps), super-speed-plus (USB3.1 - 10Gbps). The differences between full/high/super-speed descriptors are usually substantial (due to changes in the maximum usb block size from 64 to 512 to 1024 bytes and other differences in the specs), while the difference between 5 and 10Gbps descriptors may be as little as nothing (in many cases the same tuning is simply good enough). However if a gadget driver calls usb_assign_descriptors() with a NULL descriptor for super-speed-plus and is then used on a max 10gbps configuration, the kernel will crash with a null pointer dereference, when a 10gbps capable device port + cable + host port combination shows up. (This wouldn't happen if the gadget max-speed was set to 5gbps, but it of course defaults to the maximum, and there's no real reason to artificially limit it) The fix is to simply use the 5gbps descriptor as the 10gbps descriptor, if a 10gbps descriptor wasn't provided. Obviously this won't fix the problem if the 5gbps descriptor is also NULL, but such cases can't be so trivially solved (and any such gadgets are unlikely to be used with USB3 ports any way).

MediumCVSS 6.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel crash risk in systems that operate as USB gadgets. A 10Gbps-capable USB setup can trigger a null pointer dereference when a gadget driver lacks a super-speed-plus descriptor. The business impact is most likely device or service instability, not broad enterprise compromise.

Executive priority

Prioritize patching for embedded, appliance, mobile, lab, or OT devices that expose Linux USB gadget functionality. Treat normal Linux server fleets as lower priority unless they use gadget mode or custom USB functions.

Technical view

usb_assign_descriptors() accepted separate descriptors for full, high, super-speed, and super-speed-plus modes. If a gadget driver passed NULL for the 10Gbps descriptor and the device negotiated a 10Gbps configuration, the kernel could panic. The kernel fix reuses the 5Gbps descriptor when no 10Gbps descriptor is provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using USB gadget mode with USB 3.1 10Gbps-capable device ports, cables, and hosts. General servers not acting as USB gadgets are unlikely to be exposed based on the provided description.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV is false. The trigger requires a specific USB gadget configuration and 10Gbps-capable connection path. The provided CVSS is 6.3 medium, with limited confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact recorded.

Researcher notes

The source evidence is kernel-focused and describes a panic caused by NULL super-speed-plus descriptors. It does not identify affected distributions, specific gadget drivers, public exploits, or separate mitigations beyond the kernel fix. Validate exposure against deployed kernel trees and vendor backports.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply the relevant Linux stable kernel fix for deployed kernel branches.
  • Check vendor kernel advisories for backported fixes in distribution kernels.
  • Avoid 10Gbps gadget operation where patching is not immediately possible.
  • Review custom gadget drivers for missing super-speed-plus descriptors.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory devices using Linux USB gadget mode.
  • Confirm kernel versions against the listed affected and fixed stable references.
  • Test whether gadget drivers provide super-speed-plus descriptors or rely on fallback behavior.
  • Verify patched kernels include the descriptor fallback change.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
9

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

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2021-47267 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
8Source links

SSVC decision data

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

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
6.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L2.83.4CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

6.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-47267Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8, 10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8, 10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8, 10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8, 10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8, 10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8, 10287baec761d33f0a82d84b46e37a44030350d8unaffected
LinuxLinux3.8, 0, 4.9.273, 4.14.237, 4.19.195, 5.4.126, 5.10.44, 5.12.11, 5.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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