CVE-2023-53580: USB: Gadget: core: Help prevent panic during UVC unconfigure
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
USB: Gadget: core: Help prevent panic during UVC unconfigure
Avichal Rakesh reported a kernel panic that occurred when the UVC
gadget driver was removed from a gadget's configuration. The panic
involves a somewhat complicated interaction between the kernel driver
and a userspace component (as described in the Link tag below), but
the analysis did make one thing clear: The Gadget core should
accomodate gadget drivers calling usb_gadget_deactivate() as part of
their unbind procedure.
Currently this doesn't work. gadget_unbind_driver() calls
driver->unbind() while holding the udc->connect_lock mutex, and
usb_gadget_deactivate() attempts to acquire that mutex, which will
result in a deadlock.
The simple fix is for gadget_unbind_driver() to release the mutex when
invoking the ->unbind() callback. There is no particular reason for
it to be holding the mutex at that time, and the mutex isn't held
while the ->bind() callback is invoked. So we'll drop the mutex
before performing the unbind callback and reacquire it afterward.
We'll also add a couple of comments to usb_gadget_activate() and
usb_gadget_deactivate(). Because they run in process context they
must not be called from a gadget driver's ->disconnect() callback,
which (according to the kerneldoc for struct usb_gadget_driver in
include/linux/usb/gadget.h) may run in interrupt context. This may
help prevent similar bugs from arising in the future.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel flaw can cause a crash or hang when USB video gadget functionality is being unconfigured. Business impact is availability, mainly for appliances or embedded systems that use Linux USB Gadget UVC mode. The source does not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitation, or broad remote exposure evidence.
Executive priority
Prioritize for products or environments where Linux devices provide USB camera gadget features and uptime matters. It is not currently evidenced as internet-scale or actively exploited in the provided sources, so broader enterprise urgency depends on device role and exposure.
Technical view
The issue is a deadlock in Linux USB Gadget core. gadget_unbind_driver() held udc->connect_lock while calling a driver unbind callback; usb_gadget_deactivate() can try to take the same mutex during UVC gadget unbind, causing deadlock and reported kernel panic. Stable kernel commits release the mutex around unbind and add context warnings.
Likely exposure
Most likely exposure is Linux-based embedded, appliance, mobile, lab, or product devices using USB Gadget UVC functionality. General servers and desktops are lower concern unless configured to act as USB gadgets. The provided affected version data is limited and should be validated against vendor kernel packages.
Exploitation context
The bundle reports a kernel panic found through UVC gadget unconfigure behavior. It does not cite active exploitation, CISA KEV listing, public exploit availability, or remote attack conditions. Treat this as a reliability and local/device-interaction availability issue unless vendor advisories say otherwise.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on the USB Gadget core unbind path and whether downstream kernels include the mutex release fix. The source describes process-context constraints for usb_gadget_activate/deactivate and cautions against disconnect-callback use. Version metadata appears sparse, so package-level confirmation is important.
Mitigation direction
Check vendor kernel advisories for CVE-2023-53580 applicability.
Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize devices using USB Gadget UVC mode.
Disable unused USB Gadget UVC functionality where operationally safe.
Track downstream vendor backports, not only upstream version numbers.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux systems exposing USB Gadget or UVC gadget functions.
Map running kernel builds to vendor CVE-2023-53580 advisories.
Confirm whether referenced stable commits are present or backported.
Review device crash logs for UVC gadget unconfigure panics.
Test remediation in representative gadget-mode devices before rollout.
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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3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links
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CVE reservedCVE Program
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Oct 4, 2025, 15:43 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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