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CVE Record

CVE-2021-47272: usb: dwc3: gadget: Bail from dwc3_gadget_exit() if dwc->gadget is NULL

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: dwc3: gadget: Bail from dwc3_gadget_exit() if dwc->gadget is NULL There exists a possible scenario in which dwc3_gadget_init() can fail: during during host -> peripheral mode switch in dwc3_set_mode(), and a pending gadget driver fails to bind. Then, if the DRD undergoes another mode switch from peripheral->host the resulting dwc3_gadget_exit() will attempt to reference an invalid and dangling dwc->gadget pointer as well as call dma_free_coherent() on unmapped DMA pointers. The exact scenario can be reproduced as follows: - Start DWC3 in peripheral mode - Configure ConfigFS gadget with FunctionFS instance (or use g_ffs) - Run FunctionFS userspace application (open EPs, write descriptors, etc) - Bind gadget driver to DWC3's UDC - Switch DWC3 to host mode => dwc3_gadget_exit() is called. usb_del_gadget() will put the ConfigFS driver instance on the gadget_driver_pending_list - Stop FunctionFS application (closes the ep files) - Switch DWC3 to peripheral mode => dwc3_gadget_init() fails as usb_add_gadget() calls check_pending_gadget_drivers() and attempts to rebind the UDC to the ConfigFS gadget but fails with -19 (-ENODEV) because the FFS instance is not in FFS_ACTIVE state (userspace has not re-opened and written the descriptors yet, i.e. desc_ready!=0). - Switch DWC3 back to host mode => dwc3_gadget_exit() is called again, but this time dwc->gadget is invalid. Although it can be argued that userspace should take responsibility for ensuring that the FunctionFS application be ready prior to allowing the composite driver bind to the UDC, failure to do so should not result in a panic from the kernel driver. Fix this by setting dwc->gadget to NULL in the failure path of dwc3_gadget_init() and add a check to dwc3_gadget_exit() to bail out unless the gadget pointer is valid.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can crash systems using the DWC3 USB dual-role controller when USB peripheral and host modes are switched after a gadget initialization failure. The likely business impact is device instability or denial of service, mainly for embedded, mobile, or appliance-style systems using USB gadget features.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted stability fix for products or infrastructure that use Linux USB gadget mode. It is not presented as internet-exploited, but affected devices could suffer kernel panics during specific USB role transitions, which matters for appliances, kiosks, mobile platforms, and embedded fleets.

Technical view

The DWC3 gadget driver could leave dwc->gadget dangling after dwc3_gadget_init() failed during a host-to-peripheral switch. A later peripheral-to-host switch could make dwc3_gadget_exit() dereference the invalid pointer and free unmapped DMA memory. The fix NULLs the pointer on failure and exits early when no valid gadget exists.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems with DWC3 dual-role USB hardware using gadget, ConfigFS, or FunctionFS workflows. General-purpose servers without this USB controller mode are less likely to be affected. The source bundle lists Linux kernel 5.10 and related stable ranges as affected, with fixes referenced in kernel stable commits.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked in KEV. The described trigger requires a specific USB gadget and mode-switch sequence involving FunctionFS state, so this is more likely an operational denial-of-service risk than a broadly internet-exposed vulnerability.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a DWC3 gadget failure-path bug causing invalid pointer use and bad DMA free during DRD role switching. The bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, weaponized exploit evidence, or complete downstream vendor status. Validate by code provenance and vendor backport presence, not version strings alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution or device vendor advisories for patched kernel builds.
  • Prioritize embedded or appliance fleets using USB dual-role gadget mode.
  • Avoid risky host/peripheral mode switching on affected devices until patched.
  • Ensure FunctionFS userspace is ready before gadget binding where operationally feasible.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory devices running affected Linux kernels with DWC3 dual-role USB enabled.
  • Confirm the kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits or vendor backports.
  • Review crash logs for DWC3 gadget panics during USB role switching.
  • Regression-test USB gadget mode changes after applying the vendor fix.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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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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
4Source 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

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

ADP provider summaries

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

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxe81a7018d93a7de31a3f121c9a7eecd0a5ec58b0, e81a7018d93a7de31a3f121c9a7eecd0a5ec58b0, e81a7018d93a7de31a3f121c9a7eecd0a5ec58b0unaffected
LinuxLinux5.10, 0, 5.10.44, 5.12.11, 5.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.