CVE-2026-53232 net: phy: clean the sfp upstream if phy probing fails
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SFP bus handling allows attackers to cause denial of service or potentially execute code when PHY probing fails.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-53232?
CVE-2026-53232 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 25 Jun 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: phy: clean the sfp upstream if phy probing fails
Sashiko reported that we don't call sfp_bus_del_upstream() in the probe failure path, so let's add it, otherwise the sfp-bus is left with a dangling 'upstream' field, that may be used later on during SFP events.
This issue existed before the generic phylib sfp support, back when drivers were calling phy_sfp_probe themselves.
Weakness: CWE-416
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-53232?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2026-53232?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. These bugs are found with fuzzing and sanitisers and avoided by memory-safe languages. More about Use after free.
Is CVE-2026-53232 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-53232 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as AZL-90777, BELL-CVE-2026-53232, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-53232, GHSA-grrc-m4h5-r55j, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2026-53232, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-12-CVE-2026-53232 and 4 more.