CVE-2026-97963: Linux kernel · net: stmmac: initialize ptp_lock at probe time
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:47 UTC
Rated by Threat Radar · CVSS not yet scored by NVD
- EPSS
- 0.1% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 6% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
Exploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 25 Sep 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-azure-fdepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure-fde?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Ubuntu 26.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=resoluteOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in– |
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A fix is available that initializes the ptp_lock rwlock at probe time in the stmmac driver. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions containing this fix. No additional mitigation steps are indicated.
Description
A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's stmmac network driver involves the improper initialization timing of the ptp_lock read-write lock. The lock was only initialized during interface open operations but is used even when the interface is down, leading to undefined behavior due to use of an uninitialized lock. The issue has been resolved by initializing the ptp_lock at probe time to ensure it is always valid.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-97963 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-97963 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/420315413b29635de1d4ea4142e410e6465260f3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b1986595cf827c38ff929e22fbc9ca8f76379306 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/25cc0096efba83b4e0e6fa50f03e9543b41e9d3d (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0338c68e22abd2ee509ec2e32508a50896618c32 (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-97963 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/79fb5bcc50996964e076dffbdc24b7d2c06bd957 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7ced87834f3a58761d4bbcabf8326478548e6a54 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee33e424d4932c70f103b94a46b685923f236f65 (opens in a new tab)