Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2023-52478 is a Linux kernel bug in the Logitech HID++ driver. A race during device connection can register battery state twice, then crash the kernel when a receiver is disconnected. The source evidence describes a stability and denial-of-service concern, not confirmed remote compromise.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted stability risk for Linux endpoint fleets, especially where Logitech receivers are common. It should be patched through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for critical workstations where an unexpected kernel crash would disrupt operations.
Technical view
Concurrent hidpp_connect_event() executions can pass time-of-check/time-of-use checks around battery initialization. Duplicate devm-managed power_supply registrations share descriptor state, leaving desc.properties pointing to freed memory during USB receiver disconnect and causing a use-after-free in power_supply_uevent().
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with Logitech HID++ receiver or device paths using logitech-hidpp. Servers without such USB HID receiver use are less likely exposed, but endpoint fleets and workstations may be relevant.
Exploitation context
The bundle marks KEV as false and provides no public evidence of active exploitation. The described trigger involves a connection race followed by USB receiver disconnect. Evidence supports kernel crash behavior; it does not establish reliable code execution or remote exploitation.
Researcher notes
The core issue is a self-race in hidpp_connect_event(), with battery initialization being the consequential path. The supplied record does not include CVSS, CWE mapping, exploit maturity, or vendor-specific distribution package status, so remediation should be verified against kernel or distro patch provenance.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Prioritize Linux workstations using Logitech HID++ receivers or peripherals.
- Check distribution advisories for backported fixes before relying on version strings.
- If unpatched, avoid affected receivers on critical systems where feasible.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across endpoint and workstation fleets.
- Check whether the logitech-hidpp stable fix is present or backported.
- Review kernel logs for duplicate HID++ connect messages and power_supply_uevent crashes.
- Confirm testing covers receiver connect, device-connected event, and USB disconnect behavior.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2023-52478 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ca0c4cc1d215dc22ab0e738c9f017c650f3183f5CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/44481b244fcaa2b895a53081d6204c574720c38cCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cd0e2bf7fb22fe9b989c59c42dca06367fd10e6bCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/093af62c023537f097d2ebdfaa0bc7c1a6e874e1CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/28ddc1e0b898291323b62d770b1b931de131a528CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fd72ac9556a473fc7daf54efb6ca8a97180d621dCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7b2c7d9831af99369fe8ad9b2a68d78942f414eCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dac501397b9d81e4782232c39f94f4307b137452CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
