CVE-2021-47268·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: typec: tcpm: cancel vdm and state machine hrtimer when unregister tcpm port A pending hrtimer may expire after the kthread_worker of tcpm port is destroyed, see below kernel dump when do module unload, fix it by cancel the 2 hrtimers. [ 111.517018] Unable to handle kernel paging request at virtual address ffff8000118cb880 [ 111.518786] blk_update_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 60061185 op 0x0:(READ) flags 0x0 phys_seg 1 prio class 0 [ 111.526594] Mem abort info: [ 111.526597] ESR = 0x96000047 [ 111.526600] EC = 0x25: DABT (current EL), IL = 32 bits [ 111.526604] SET = 0, FnV = 0 [ 111.526607] EA = 0, S1PTW = 0 [ 111.526610] Data abort info: [ 111.526612] ISV = 0, ISS = 0x00000047 [ 111.526615] CM = 0, WnR = 1 [ 111.526619] swapper pgtable: 4k pages, 48-bit VAs, pgdp=0000000041d75000 [ 111.526623] [ffff8000118cb880] pgd=10000001bffff003, p4d=10000001bffff003, pud=10000001bfffe003, pmd=10000001bfffa003, pte=0000000000000000 [ 111.526642] Internal error: Oops: 96000047 [#1] PREEMPT SMP [ 111.526647] Modules linked in: dwc3_imx8mp dwc3 phy_fsl_imx8mq_usb [last unloaded: tcpci] [ 111.526663] CPU: 0 PID: 0 Comm: swapper/0 Not tainted 5.13.0-rc4-00927-gebbe9dbd802c-dirty #36 [ 111.526670] Hardware name: NXP i.MX8MPlus EVK board (DT) [ 111.526674] pstate: 800000c5 (Nzcv daIF -PAN -UAO -TCO BTYPE=--) [ 111.526681] pc : queued_spin_lock_slowpath+0x1a0/0x390 [ 111.526695] lr : _raw_spin_lock_irqsave+0x88/0xb4 [ 111.526703] sp : ffff800010003e20 [ 111.526706] x29: ffff800010003e20 x28: ffff00017f380180 [ 111.537156] buffer_io_error: 6 callbacks suppressed [ 111.537162] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040704, async page read [ 111.539932] x27: ffff00017f3801c0 [ 111.539938] x26: ffff800010ba2490 x25: 0000000000000000 x24: 0000000000000001 [ 111.543025] blk_update_request: I/O error, dev sda, sector 60061186 op 0x0:(READ) flags 0x0 phys_seg 7 prio class 0 [ 111.548304] [ 111.548306] x23: 00000000000000c0 x22: ffff0000c2a9f184 x21: ffff00017f380180 [ 111.551374] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040705, async page read [ 111.554499] [ 111.554503] x20: ffff0000c5f14210 x19: 00000000000000c0 x18: 0000000000000000 [ 111.557391] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040706, async page read [ 111.561218] [ 111.561222] x17: 0000000000000000 x16: 0000000000000000 x15: 0000000000000000 [ 111.564205] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040707, async page read [ 111.570887] x14: 00000000000000f5 x13: 0000000000000001 x12: 0000000000000040 [ 111.570902] x11: ffff0000c05ac6d8 [ 111.583420] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040708, async page read [ 111.588978] x10: 0000000000000000 x9 : 0000000000040000 [ 111.588988] x8 : 0000000000000000 [ 111.597173] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040709, async page read [ 111.605766] x7 : ffff00017f384880 x6 : ffff8000118cb880 [ 111.605777] x5 : ffff00017f384880 [ 111.611094] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040710, async page read [ 111.617086] x4 : 0000000000000000 x3 : ffff0000c2a9f184 [ 111.617096] x2 : ffff8000118cb880 [ 111.622242] Buffer I/O error on dev sda1, logical block 60040711, async page read [ 111.626927] x1 : ffff8000118cb880 x0 : ffff00017f384888 [ 111.626938] Call trace: [ 111.626942] queued_spin_lock_slowpath+0x1a0/0x390 [ 111.795809] kthread_queue_work+0x30/0xc0 [ 111.799828] state_machine_timer_handler+0x20/0x30 [ 111.804624] __hrtimer_run_queues+0x140/0x1e0 [ 111.808990] hrtimer_interrupt+0xec/0x2c0 [ 111.813004] arch_timer_handler_phys+0x38/0x50 [ 111.817456] handle_percpu_devid_irq+0x88/0x150 [ 111.821991] __handle_domain_irq+0x80/0xe0 [ 111.826093] gic_handle_irq+0xc0/0x140 [ 111.829848] el1_irq+0xbc/0x154 [ 111.832991] arch_cpu_idle+0x1c/0x2c [ 111.836572] default_idle_call+0x24/0x6c [ 111.840497] do_idle+0x238/0x2ac [ 1 ---truncated---
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.12.11
- Published
- 2024-05-21
Affected versions
From: 5.11
Until: 5.12.11
Fixed in: 5.12.11
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.12.11 or later to patch a critical USB Type-C port management flaw that can cause kernel panics during module unload. The vulnerability stems from hrtimer callbacks executing after the associated kthread worker has been destroyed. Ensure your system is rebooted after kernel updates to fully apply the fix.
sudo dnf update kernel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check kernel version: uname -r | awk -F'-' '{print $1}' to confirm if running 5.11.x through 5.12.10
- Verify USB Type-C driver presence: lsmod | grep -i typec to determine if tcpm module is loaded
- Search system logs for kernel panics: sudo dmesg | grep -i 'unable to handle kernel paging\|queued_spin_lock_slowpath' to identify exploitation indicators
- Confirm patch applied: grep -i 'CONFIG_USB_TYPEC' /boot/config-$(uname -r) to verify USB Type-C support is compiled, then verify kernel is 5.12.11+
FAQ
What is CVE-2021-47268?
CVE-2021-47268 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB Type-C port management subsystem (tcpm) where hrtimer callbacks can fire after the kthread worker they depend on has been destroyed, typically during module unload, causing kernel panics and memory corruption.
Is CVE-2021-47268 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA KEV catalog and has no known public exploits. However, it can be easily triggered by unloading the tcpci module on affected kernels.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2021-47268?
Linux kernel versions 5.11 through 5.12.10 are affected. The vulnerability was resolved in kernel 5.12.11 and later stable releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2021-47268?
Run `uname -r` to get your kernel version; if it falls within 5.11.x through 5.12.10, you are vulnerable. Additionally, check if USB Type-C support is enabled with `lsmod | grep typec`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2021-47268?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2021-47268 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18eaf0de50eadeeb395b83310b259b21ad8ed0a6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a13ff7ef4349d70d1d18378d661117dd5af8efe
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d0a06696a8a4d99f649240b6f9b8a2e55452ecf5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18eaf0de50eadeeb395b83310b259b21ad8ed0a6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a13ff7ef4349d70d1d18378d661117dd5af8efe
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