CVE-2026-97973
Published Sep 25, 2026
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: macb: destroy the phylink instance on the probe error path macb_mii_init() creates a phylink instance on both of its success paths, but the probe unwind frees the netdev without destroying it, so a failing macb_alloc_tieoff() or register_netdev() leaks the instance. Destroy it at err_out_unregister_mdio, which is only reachable once macb_mii_init() has succeeded, so bp->phylink is valid there.
Is your site exposed to CVE-2026-97973?
Run a free security scan — no signup, results in seconds.
EPSS — Exploit Prediction
0.0017
Probability of exploitation
0.06%
Percentile rank
EPSS estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days. A higher score means more likely to be exploited.
References
Other References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-97973? +
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: macb: destroy the phylink instance on the probe error path
macb_mii_init() creates a phylink instance on both of its success paths,
but the probe unwind frees the netdev without destroying it, so a failing
macb_alloc_tieoff() or register_netdev() leaks the instance.
Destroy it at err_out_unregister_mdio, which is only reachable once
macb_mii_init() has succeeded, so bp->phylink is valid there.
How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2026-97973? +
You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.