# CVE-2026-97973: net: macb: destroy the phylink instance on the probe error path

CVE-2026-97973 is fixed in 37 products on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97973, released September 29, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-97973
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 3.3 (Low)
- 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-2026-97973

## 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.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | kernel-uek ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-devel ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-devel ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-deprecated ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-deprecated ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-desktop ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-desktop ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra-netfilter ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-extra-netfilter ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-usb ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-usb ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-wireless ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-debug-modules-wireless ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-devel ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-devel ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-doc ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-doc ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-deprecated ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-deprecated ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-desktop ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-desktop ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra-netfilter ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-extra-netfilter ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-usb ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-usb ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-wireless ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-modules-wireless ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-tools ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek-tools ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-devel ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-devel ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-core ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-core ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-deprecated ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-deprecated ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-desktop ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-desktop ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra-netfilter ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-extra-netfilter ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-usb ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-usb ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-wireless ol 10 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | kernel-uek64k-modules-wireless ol 9 | 0:6.12.0-207.111.5.1.el9uek | [ELSA-2026-500374](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2026-500374.md) | Oct 7, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 6.1.190-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97973](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-97973.md) | Sep 29, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 6.12.111-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97973](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-97973.md) | Sep 29, 2026 |
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 7.2.7-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97973](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-97973.md) | Sep 29, 2026 |
| Linux | linux-6.12 Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 6.12.111-1~deb12u1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2026-97973](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2026-97973.md) | Sep 29, 2026 |

---

Data as of 2026-11-08T13:06:02Z 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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