In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: macb: fix dma_alloc_coherent() leak on macb_alloc() error paths Fix 3 leaks… (CVE-2026-98492)

The Linux kernel macb driver had three memory leaks in macb_alloc() error paths: when the Tx buffer crossed a 4GB boundary, when Rx buffer allocation failed, and when the Rx buffer crossed a 4GB boundary. The error handling routine macb_free(bp) freed buffers stored in bp->queues[0], but buffers were not stored there promptly, causing leaks. The patch fixes this by storing allocated buffers into bp->queues[0] as soon as possible to ensure proper freeing on errors.

The vulnerability causes memory leaks in the kernel's network driver during specific error conditions. While this does not directly lead to code execution or privilege escalation, it can degrade system stability or performance over time due to resource exhaustion if triggered repeatedly.

A fix has been implemented to address the memory leaks by correcting buffer management in the macb driver. Users should apply the official Linux kernel updates that include this patch once available. Patch status is not explicitly confirmed in the provided data; check the vendor advisory or Linux kernel mailing lists for the official fix and update guidance.