CVE-2026-97973: Linux kernel · net: macb: destroy the phylink instance on the probe error path
Affects Linux kernelSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · fixed in e92a45b872b035c79acde8dd0da096a72b61ff2f : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 13:20 UTC
Rated Low by Threat Radar's AI analysis · 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.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in e92a45b872b035c79acde8dd0da096a72b61ff2f, c1de1e7b51ab2531f564b39b51998c3d71caccd7, 8558e3195664113c14a4d8fcf221b3caff41fed1 +3
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
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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| LinuxLinux | Affected
| Fixed in
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AI-suggested
A fix is available in the Linux kernel. Users should update to a kernel version that includes the commits identified by the fixedVersions hashes. No additional mitigation is required beyond applying the official patch.
Description
A resource leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's macb network driver was fixed by ensuring the phylink instance is properly destroyed on error during probe initialization. The issue occurred because the phylink instance created by macb_mii_init() was not destroyed if certain initialization steps failed, leading to a resource leak.
References
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/0112aa02c7847314be599d68783d50c7e228a694 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c1de1e7b51ab2531f564b39b51998c3d71caccd7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/23b6a44ffea1c54a4232aa86ee470b21422a8cc5 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/e92a45b872b035c79acde8dd0da096a72b61ff2f (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/8558e3195664113c14a4d8fcf221b3caff41fed1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d059f390750152b9bd69df934198651b94fc26d (opens in a new tab)