# CVE-2026-97972: net: macb: put the "mdio" child node reference on success

CVE-2026-97972 is fixed in linux on 1 platform by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97972 (version 7.2.7-1), released October 2, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-97972
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: n/a
- EPSS: 0.0017
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Sep 25, 2026
- Vendor advisory: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-97972

## 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.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.7-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97972](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-97972.md) | Oct 2, 2026 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T19:12:23Z 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 Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

Free to use with attribution: show "Data: Patchblox Patch Radar" with a link to https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar. Terms, including what needs a written agreement: https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar/use-the-data

Product names, logos and trademarks shown on Patch Radar belong to their respective owners. They are used only to identify the software each security fix applies to and to help readers find their platform. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, or endorsement by, those owners, and Patchblox is not affiliated with any of them.