CVE-2021-46980

Kernel crash via truncated source-PDO array

Published Feb 28, 2024 · Updated May 11, 2026

An out-of-bounds read in Linux kernel UCSI support allows local users to crash the kernel when a USB-C Power Delivery source is connected. The driver stores only four advertised power data objects, then uses the negotiated RDO object position to index that four-entry source-PDO array. Triggering the fault requires UCSI hardware, a source advertising at least five PDOs, and a contract selecting the fifth or later PDO.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.23%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

An out-of-bounds read in Linux kernel UCSI support allows local users to crash the kernel when a USB-C Power Delivery source is connected. The driver stores only four advertised power data objects, then uses the negotiated RDO object position to index that four-entry source-PDO array. Triggering the fault requires UCSI hardware, a source advertising at least five PDOs, and a contract selecting the fifth or later PDO.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-46980
Published
Feb 28, 2024
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-125
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 28, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <1f4642b72be79757f050924a9b9673b6a02034bc
  2. Affected versionversion=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <5e9c6f58b01e6fdfbc740390c01f542a35c97e57
  3. Affected versionversion=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <a453bfd7ef15fd9d524004d3ca7b05353a302911
  4. Affected versionversion=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <e5366bea0277425e1868ba20eeb27c879d5a6e2d
  5. Affected versionversion=5.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <1f4642b72be79757f050924a9b9673b6a02034bc; version=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <5e9c6f58b01e6fdfbc740390c01f542a35c97e57; version=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <a453bfd7ef15fd9d524004d3ca7b05353a302911; version=4dbc6a4ef06d6a79ff91be6fc2e90f8660031ce0 <e5366bea0277425e1868ba20eeb27c879d5a6e2d; version=5.8

Published CVSS scores

7.1NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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