# GSD-2023-1000174: net: mdiobus: fix unbalanced node reference count

> An unbalanced node reference count in the Linux Kernel MDIO bus driver can lead to resource leaks or 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-2023-1000174?

GSD-2023-1000174 is a 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: mdiobus: fix unbalanced node reference count

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 v5.15.82 by commit 543d917f691ab06885ee779c862065899eaa4251, it was introduced in version v5.14 by commit bc1bee3b87ee48bd97ef7fd306445132ba2041b0. For more details please see the references link.

## Which versions are affected by GSD-2023-1000174?

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-2023-1000174?

No fix has been published for GSD-2023-1000174 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is GSD-2023-1000174 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GSD-2023-1000174 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GSD-2023-1000174 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GSD-2023-1000174 is a 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-2023-1000174 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-2023-1000174/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GSD-2023-1000174/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GSD-2023-1000174

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GSD-2023-1000174/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.