CVE-2026-97973 net: macb: destroy the phylink instance on the probe error path
A memory leak in the Linux kernel macb driver probe error path can lead to resource exhaustion and denial of service.
- 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-2026-97973?
CVE-2026-97973 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 25 Sep 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: 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.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-97973?
How do I fix CVE-2026-97973?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-97973 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-97973 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as AZL-104835, BELL-CVE-2026-97973, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97973, GHSA-rvwv-vg3x-5m3f, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-97973.