CVE-2026-97972

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: macb: put the "mdio" child node reference on success macb_mii_init() holds the reference returned by of_get_child_by_name() for macb_mdiobus_register() and drops it only on the error paths, so every successful probe leaks a node reference. On a CM5, overlay removal after four bind cycles reports OF: ERROR: memory leak, expected refcount 1 instead of 5 Drop the reference after registration, where __mdiobus_register() has already taken its own for the lifetime of the bus.

  • Published Sep 25, 2026
  • Not yet scored
  • 0.2% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS)
  • A fix is available

Affected software

CVE-2026-97972 at the National Vulnerability Database