CVE-2021-46980: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: typec: ucsi: Retrieve all the PDOs instead of just the first 4 commit 4dbc6...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: typec: ucsi: Retrieve all the PDOs instead of just the first 4 commit 4dbc6a4ef06d ("usb: typec: ucsi: save power data objects in PD mode") introduced retrieval of the PDOs when connected to a PD-capable source. But only the first 4 PDOs are received since that is the maximum number that can be fetched at a time given the MESSAGE_IN length limitation (16 bytes). However, as per the PD spec a connected source may advertise up to a maximum of 7 PDOs. If such a source is connected it's possible the PPM could have negotiated a power contract with one of the PDOs at index greater than 4, and would be reflected in the request data object's (RDO) object position field. This would result in an out-of-bounds access when the rdo_index() is used to index into the src_pdos array in ucsi_psy_get_voltage_now(). With the help of the UBSAN -fsanitize=array-bounds checker enabled this exact issue is revealed when connecting to a PD source adapter that advertise 5 PDOs and the PPM enters a contract having selected the 5th one. [ 151.545106][ T70] Unexpected kernel BRK exception at EL1 [ 151.545112][ T70] Internal error: BRK handler: f2005512 [#1] PREEMPT SMP ... [ 151.545499][ T70] pc : ucsi_psy_get_prop+0x208/0x20c [ 151.545507][ T70] lr : power_supply_show_property+0xc0/0x328 ... [ 151.545542][ T70] Call trace: [ 151.545544][ T70] ucsi_psy_get_prop+0x208/0x20c [ 151.545546][ T70] power_supply_uevent+0x1a4/0x2f0 [ 151.545550][ T70] dev_uevent+0x200/0x384 [ 151.545555][ T70] kobject_uevent_env+0x1d4/0x7e8 [ 151.545557][ T70] power_supply_changed_work+0x174/0x31c [ 151.545562][ T70] process_one_work+0x244/0x6f0 [ 151.545564][ T70] worker_thread+0x3e0/0xa64 We can resolve this by instead retrieving and storing up to the maximum of 7 PDOs in the con->src_pdos array. This would involve two calls to the GET_PDOS command.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.1/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.23%

13.7th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-125

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.8, < 5.10.38	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.11, < 5.11.22	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.12, < 5.12.5	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	5.13	Rc1

References

Timeline

Published: Feb 28, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-46980?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: typec: ucsi: Retrieve all the PDOs instead of just the first 4 commit 4dbc6a4ef06d ("usb: typec: ucsi: save power data objects in PD mode") introduced retrieval of the PDOs when connected to a PD-capable source. But only the first 4 PDOs are received since that is the maximum number that can be fetched at a time given the MESSAGE_IN length limitation (16 bytes). However, as per the PD spec a connected source may advertise up to a maximum of 7 PDOs. If such a source is connected it's possible the PPM could have negotiated a power contract with one of the PDOs at index greater than 4, and would be reflected in the request data object's (RDO) object position field. This would result in an out-of-bounds access when the rdo_index() is used to index into the src_pdos array in ucsi_psy_get_voltage_now(). With the help of the UBSAN -fsanitize=array-bounds checker enabled this exact issue is revealed when connecting to a PD source adapter that advertise 5 PDOs and the PPM enters a contract having selected the 5th one. [ 151.545106][ T70] Unexpected kernel BRK exception at EL1 [ 151.545112][ T70] Internal error: BRK handler: f2005512 [#1] PREEMPT SMP ... [ 151.545499][ T70] pc : ucsi_psy_get_prop+0x208/0x20c [ 151.545507][ T70] lr : power_supply_show_property+0xc0/0x328 ... [ 151.545542][ T70] Call trace: [ 151.545544][ T70] ucsi_psy_get_prop+0x208/0x20c [ 151.545546][ T70] power_supply_uevent+0x1a4/0x2f0 [ 151.545550][ T70] dev_uevent+0x200/0x384 [ 151.545555][ T70] kobject_uevent_env+0x1d4/0x7e8 [ 151.545557][ T70] power_supply_changed_work+0x174/0x31c [ 151.545562][ T70] process_one_work+0x244/0x6f0 [ 151.545564][ T70] worker_thread+0x3e0/0xa64 We can resolve this by instead retrieving and storing up to the maximum of 7 PDOs in the con->src_pdos array. This would involve two calls to the GET_PDOS command.

How severe is CVE-2021-46980?

CVE-2021-46980 has a CVSS score of 7.1/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.23% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-46980?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.