# CVE-2026-80993: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  net: phylink: correctly validate returned PCS in...

CVE-2026-80993 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-80993 (version 7.2.6-1), released September 23, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-80993
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0021
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Sep 11, 2026

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  net: phylink: correctly validate returned PCS in phylink_inband_caps  In phylink_inband_caps(), the PCS returned by mac_select_pcs is only checked if NULL but mac_select_pcs can also return an error pointer.  This can cause a kernel panic as phylink_pcs_inband_caps() only checks if passed PCS is not NULL and directly dereference ops from the phylink_pcs struct.  Use the IS_ERR_OR_NULL macro to address both case where the returned PCS can be NULL or an error pointer and prevent a kernel panic.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.6-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-80993](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-80993.md) | Sep 23, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T00:53:09Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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