CVE-2026-23679: libusb < 1.0.30 NULL Pointer Dereference in parse_interface()
libusb before version 1.0.30 contains a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability that allows attackers to crash applications by supplying a malformed USB configuration descriptor where an interface claims bNumEndpoints greater than zero but is followed by a class-specific descriptor whose bLength exceeds the remaining buffer size, causing parse_interface() to return early without allocating the endpoint array. Attackers can exploit this flaw through libusb_get_active_config_descriptor or libusb_get_config_descriptor by providing crafted descriptors via virtualized USB passthrough, file-based descriptor parsing, or network sources, causing any application iterating over endpoints to dereference a NULL endpoint pointer and crash.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-23679 can let a malformed USB configuration descriptor crash software that uses libusb before 1.0.30. The impact described is availability loss, not data theft or code execution. Systems are most relevant when they process untrusted or external USB descriptors.
Executive priority
Treat this as a focused availability risk. It is not described as remote code execution, but crashes in USB-dependent systems can disrupt operations. Prioritize exposed, embedded, or passthrough-heavy environments.
Technical view
In libusb before 1.0.30, parse_interface() can return without allocating endpoint data after malformed descriptor parsing. Later endpoint iteration may dereference a NULL pointer and crash. Reported trigger paths include active or requested configuration descriptor parsing through libusb APIs.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in applications, appliances, virtualization stacks, or tools that embed libusb before 1.0.30 and process USB descriptors from untrusted devices, passthrough, files, or network-fed sources.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, with high availability impact. The bundle says KEV is false, and no cited source establishes active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The public bundle ties the issue to parse_interface(), endpoint allocation state, and descriptor parsing APIs. Evidence supports crash impact. It does not support confidentiality impact, integrity impact, or active exploitation claims.
Mitigation direction
Upgrade libusb to version 1.0.30 or later where available.
Inventory applications that bundle or statically link libusb.
Prioritize systems handling untrusted USB descriptor data or virtualized USB passthrough.
Apply vendor updates for products that embed libusb.
Limit untrusted USB descriptor sources where upgrades are delayed.
Track libusb and vendor advisories for additional guidance.
Validation and detection
Confirm deployed libusb versions are 1.0.30 or later.
Check package, container, firmware, and static-link inventories for older libusb copies.
Verify vendor products using libusb have published and applied fixes.
Review crash telemetry for descriptor-processing crashes in libusb consumers.
Confirm high-risk ingestion paths are documented and restricted.
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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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-125: Exact CWE lookup
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CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-125 · source CWE mapping
Out-of-bounds Read
Out-of-bounds Read represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.