# GSD-2023-1000021: net: mdio: fix unbalanced fwnode reference count in mdio_device_release()

> An unbalanced reference count in the Linux Kernel MDIO driver can lead to memory corruption and potential denial of service.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 17 Jan 2023

## What is GSD-2023-1000021?

GSD-2023-1000021 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Kernel, published on 17 Jan 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

net: mdio: fix unbalanced fwnode reference count in mdio_device_release()

This is an automated ID intended to aid in discovery of potential security vulnerabilities. The actual impact and attack plausibility have not yet been proven.
This ID is fixed in Linux Kernel version v6.0.13 by commit a5c6de1a6656b8cc6bce7cb3d9874dd7df4968c3, it was introduced in version v4.5 by commit a9049e0c513c4521dbfaa302af8ed08b3366b41f. For more details please see the references link.

## Which versions are affected by GSD-2023-1000021?

1 open source package ship an affected version, including Kernel.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `Kernel` | Linux | All versions | None |

## How do I fix GSD-2023-1000021?

No fix has been published for GSD-2023-1000021 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is GSD-2023-1000021 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GSD-2023-1000021 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GSD-2023-1000021 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GSD-2023-1000021 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Kernel, published on 17 Jan 2023. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GSD-2023-1000021 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- Kernel (Linux): affected all versions; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GSD-2023-1000021/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GSD-2023-1000021/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GSD-2023-1000021

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GSD-2023-1000021/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.