In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: macb: put the "mdio" child node reference on success

macb_mii_init() holds the reference returned by of_get_child_by_name()
for macb_mdiobus_register() and drops it only on the error paths, so
every successful probe leaks a node reference. On a CM5, overlay
removal after four bind cycles reports

OF: ERROR: memory leak, expected refcount 1 instead of 5

Drop the reference after registration, where __mdiobus_register() has
already taken its own for the lifetime of the bus.
Advisories
Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9019-1 Linux kernel (Azure) vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9020-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Fixes

Solution

No solution given by the vendor.


Workaround

No workaround given by the vendor.

History

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 05:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-911
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 5.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate


Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:45:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-401

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: macb: put the "mdio" child node reference on success macb_mii_init() holds the reference returned by of_get_child_by_name() for macb_mdiobus_register() and drops it only on the error paths, so every successful probe leaks a node reference. On a CM5, overlay removal after four bind cycles reports OF: ERROR: memory leak, expected refcount 1 instead of 5 Drop the reference after registration, where __mdiobus_register() has already taken its own for the lifetime of the bus.
Title net: macb: put the "mdio" child node reference on success
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References

Projects

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cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Linux

Published:

Updated: 2026-10-19T09:11:38.115Z

Reserved: 2026-09-25T10:18:58.207Z

Link: CVE-2026-97972

cve-icon Vulnrichment

No data.

cve-icon NVD

Status : Received

Published: 2026-09-25T11:17:25.090

Modified: 2026-10-19T10:17:48.580

Link: CVE-2026-97972

cve-icon Redhat

Severity : Moderate

Publid Date: 2026-09-25T00:00:00Z

Links: CVE-2026-97972 - Bugzilla

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-10-01T08:00:04Z

Weaknesses