CVE-2024-53203
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a potential array underflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB Type-C subsystem. An attacker with debugfs access could trigger memory corruption by manipulating the 'command' variable, potentially leading to kernel crashes or privilege escalation. This affects Linux systems with USB Type-C support and debugfs enabled.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential privilege escalation to kernel mode allowing full system compromise.
Likely Case
Kernel crash causing system instability or denial of service, requiring reboot.
If Mitigated
No impact if debugfs is disabled or access is properly restricted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and debugfs permissions. The vulnerability is in a specific USB Type-C driver function.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (commits referenced in CVE)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e66fd8e5a2e45c7dacfc9178ba702153f4a61a8
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a patched kernel version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot the system to load the new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable debugfs access
linuxPrevent unauthorized access to debugfs which is required for exploitation
umount /sys/kernel/debug
echo 'debugfs /sys/kernel/debug debugfs defaults,noauto 0 0' >> /etc/fstab
Restrict debugfs permissions
linuxLimit debugfs access to privileged users only
chmod 700 /sys/kernel/debug
chown root:root /sys/kernel/debug
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable debugfs mounting entirely or restrict access to privileged users only
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for debugfs interface usage
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if debugfs is mounted and accessible: 'mount | grep debugfs' and 'ls -la /sys/kernel/debug'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version against patched versions from your distribution's security advisories📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- OOM killer messages
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "BUG") AND process="ucsi_ccg_sync_control"🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e66fd8e5a2e45c7dacfc9178ba702153f4a61a8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/56971710cd541f2f05160a84b3183477d34a1be9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/627c2a5056aba42a8a96a8fffe8996aeccf919a9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e15fd96c0b701c53f9006bcc836eaeb35a05a023
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e44189455c62469eb91d383ce9103d54c1f807a3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e56aac6e5a25630645607b6856d4b2a17b2311a5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ef92cd55289a282910575c5b9d87f646f2d39b38
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/08/msg00010.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.html
