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CVE Record

CVE-2023-52478: HID: logitech-hidpp: Fix kernel crash on receiver USB disconnect

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: HID: logitech-hidpp: Fix kernel crash on receiver USB disconnect hidpp_connect_event() has *four* time-of-check vs time-of-use (TOCTOU) races when it races with itself. hidpp_connect_event() primarily runs from a workqueue but it also runs on probe() and if a "device-connected" packet is received by the hw when the thread running hidpp_connect_event() from probe() is waiting on the hw, then a second thread running hidpp_connect_event() will be started from the workqueue. This opens the following races (note the below code is simplified): 1. Retrieving + printing the protocol (harmless race): if (!hidpp->protocol_major) { hidpp_root_get_protocol_version() hidpp->protocol_major = response.rap.params[0]; } We can actually see this race hit in the dmesg in the abrt output attached to rhbz#2227968: [ 3064.624215] logitech-hidpp-device 0003:046D:4071.0049: HID++ 4.5 device connected. [ 3064.658184] logitech-hidpp-device 0003:046D:4071.0049: HID++ 4.5 device connected. Testing with extra logging added has shown that after this the 2 threads take turn grabbing the hw access mutex (send_mutex) so they ping-pong through all the other TOCTOU cases managing to hit all of them: 2. Updating the name to the HIDPP name (harmless race): if (hidpp->name == hdev->name) { ... hidpp->name = new_name; } 3. Initializing the power_supply class for the battery (problematic!): hidpp_initialize_battery() { if (hidpp->battery.ps) return 0; probe_battery(); /* Blocks, threads take turns executing this */ hidpp->battery.desc.properties = devm_kmemdup(dev, hidpp_battery_props, cnt, GFP_KERNEL); hidpp->battery.ps = devm_power_supply_register(&hidpp->hid_dev->dev, &hidpp->battery.desc, cfg); } 4. Creating delayed input_device (potentially problematic): if (hidpp->delayed_input) return; hidpp->delayed_input = hidpp_allocate_input(hdev); The really big problem here is 3. Hitting the race leads to the following sequence: hidpp->battery.desc.properties = devm_kmemdup(dev, hidpp_battery_props, cnt, GFP_KERNEL); hidpp->battery.ps = devm_power_supply_register(&hidpp->hid_dev->dev, &hidpp->battery.desc, cfg); ... hidpp->battery.desc.properties = devm_kmemdup(dev, hidpp_battery_props, cnt, GFP_KERNEL); hidpp->battery.ps = devm_power_supply_register(&hidpp->hid_dev->dev, &hidpp->battery.desc, cfg); So now we have registered 2 power supplies for the same battery, which looks a bit weird from userspace's pov but this is not even the really big problem. Notice how: 1. This is all devm-maganaged 2. The hidpp->battery.desc struct is shared between the 2 power supplies 3. hidpp->battery.desc.properties points to the result from the second devm_kmemdup() This causes a use after free scenario on USB disconnect of the receiver: 1. The last registered power supply class device gets unregistered 2. The memory from the last devm_kmemdup() call gets freed, hidpp->battery.desc.properties now points to freed memory 3. The first registered power supply class device gets unregistered, this involves sending a remove uevent to userspace which invokes power_supply_uevent() to fill the uevent data 4. power_supply_uevent() uses hidpp->battery.desc.properties which now points to freed memory leading to backtraces like this one: Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: ffffb2140e017f08 ... Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: Workqueue: usb_hub_wq hub_event Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: RIP: 0010:power_supply_uevent+0xee/0x1d0 ... Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x26/0x30 Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: ? power_supply_uevent+0xee/0x1d0 Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: ? power_supply_uevent+0x10d/0x1d0 Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: dev_uevent+0x10f/0x2d0 Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: kobject_uevent_env+0x291/0x680 Sep 22 20:01:35 eric kernel: ---truncated---

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

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.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
10

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
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
9Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxc39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66d, c39e3d5fc9dd3e16c6f59dd94d827540040de66dunaffected
LinuxLinux3.19, 0, 4.14.328, 4.19.297, 5.4.259, 5.10.199, 5.15.136, 6.1.59, 6.5.8, 6.6affected
Weakness

CWE details

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