CVE-2026-43488

usb: xhci: Prevent interrupt storm on host controller error (HCE)

Published May 13, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 5.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

usb: xhci: Prevent interrupt storm on host controller error (HCE)

The xHCI controller reports a Host Controller Error (HCE) in UAS Storage
Device plug/unplug scenarios on Android devices. HCE is checked in
xhci_irq() function and causes an interrupt storm (since the interrupt
isn’t cleared), leading to severe system-level faults.

When the xHC controller reports HCE in the interrupt handler, the driver
only logs a warning and assumes xHC activity will stop as stated in xHCI
specification. An interrupt storm does however continue on some hosts
even after HCE, and only ceases after manually disabling xHC interrupt
and stopping the controller by calling xhci_halt().

Add xhci_halt() to xhci_irq() function where STS_HCE status is checked,
mirroring the existing error handling pattern used for STS_FATAL errors.

This only fixes the interrupt storm. Proper HCE recovery requires resetting
and re-initializing the xHC.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8567-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8574-1 Linux kernel (GCP FIPS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8574-2 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8595-1 Linux kernel (Oracle) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8596-1 Linux kernel (NVIDIA) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8595-2 Linux kernel (AWS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8606-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8607-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8608-1 Linux kernel (Azure FIPS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8609-1 Linux kernel (Azure CVM) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8574-3 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8595-3 Linux kernel (AWS) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8619-1 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8665-1 Linux kernel (Raspberry Pi) vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-770
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-390
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Low

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-770
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: xhci: Prevent interrupt storm on host controller error (HCE) The xHCI controller reports a Host Controller Error (HCE) in UAS Storage Device plug/unplug scenarios on Android devices. HCE is checked in xhci_irq() function and causes an interrupt storm (since the interrupt isn’t cleared), leading to severe system-level faults. When the xHC controller reports HCE in the interrupt handler, the driver only logs a warning and assumes xHC activity will stop as stated in xHCI specification. An interrupt storm does however continue on some hosts even after HCE, and only ceases after manually disabling xHC interrupt and stopping the controller by calling xhci_halt(). Add xhci_halt() to xhci_irq() function where STS_HCE status is checked, mirroring the existing error handling pattern used for STS_FATAL errors. This only fixes the interrupt storm. Proper HCE recovery requires resetting and re-initializing the xHC.
Title usb: xhci: Prevent interrupt storm on host controller error (HCE)
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Nov 6, 2026, 3:42 PM
Reserved
May 1, 2026, 2:12 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 13, 2026, 4:16 PM
Modified
Nov 6, 2026, 4:18 PM
Severity
Low
Public date
May 13, 2026, 12:00 AM