CVE-2026-10663: Use-after-free / double-free of the root USB device in the experimental USB host stack

Published Jul 12, 2026
·
Updated

In Zephyr's experimental USB host stack (CONFIGUSBHOSTSTACK), usbhdevicedisconnect() (subsys/usb/host/usbhdevice.c) freed the root usbdevice slab object without clearing the cached pointer ctx->root. The bus removal handler devremovedhandler() (subsys/usb/host/usbhcore.c) decides what to tear down solely from ctx->root, checking only that it is non-NULL.

Because UHC controller drivers (e.g. uhcmax3421e, uhcmcuxcommon) synthesize UHCEVTDEVREMOVED directly from physical bus line state with no debounce or state guard, an attacker with physical USB access (or a rogue device that bounces its connection) can deliver a second device-removed event after a root device disconnect. The handler then re-enters usbhdevicedisconnect() with the dangling pointer, locking a mutex inside the freed object (use-after-free), removing the freed node from the device list, and calling kmemslabfree() on the already-freed block (double-free). If the slab block has been reissued to a newly attached device in between, this corrupts a live object.

Impact is denial of service (crash) and memory corruption; the attack vector is physical/local. The flaw was introduced in v4.4.0 by the connect/disconnect refactor and is fixed by clearing ctx->root in usbhdevicedisconnect() before freeing.

Affected Software

2 affected components
Zephyr Project Zephyr>=undefined
zephyrproject zephyr>=4.4.0<4.5.0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in v4.4.0Patch clearing ctx->root in usbh_device_disconnect() before freeing

Event History

Jul 12, 2026
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:16 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:16 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·05:16 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2026-10663?

The severity of CVE-2026-10663 is rated as medium, with a score of 6.1.

2

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-10663?

CVE-2026-10663 is classified as a use-after-free and double-free vulnerability.

3

How can I mitigate CVE-2026-10663?

To mitigate CVE-2026-10663, ensure you are using the latest version of the Zephyr Project that addresses this vulnerability.

4

What systems are affected by CVE-2026-10663?

CVE-2026-10663 affects systems utilizing the Zephyr Project with the experimental USB host stack enabled.

5

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2026-10663?

The potential impacts of CVE-2026-10663 include denial of service or arbitrary code execution due to improper memory management.

Contact

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