CVE-2026-97973

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: macb: destroy the phylink instance on the probe error path macb_mii_init() creates a phylink instance on both of its success paths, but the probe unwind frees the netdev without destroying it, so a failing macb_alloc_tieoff() or register_netdev() leaks the instance. Destroy it at err_out_unregister_mdio, which is only reachable once macb_mii_init() has succeeded, so bp->phylink is valid there.

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

Affected software

In the news

CVE-2026-97973 at the National Vulnerability Database