CVE-2026-43488

/// Technical 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

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

/// References