CVE-2026-80993

net: phylink: correctly validate returned PCS in phylink_inband_caps

Published Sep 11, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.1 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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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
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-476
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

cvssV3_1

{'score': 4.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title net: phylink: correctly validate returned PCS in phylink_inband_caps
First Time appeared Linux
Linux linux Kernel
CPEs cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Linux
Linux linux Kernel
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Linux
Published
Updated
Oct 19, 2026, 8:46 AM
Reserved
Aug 26, 2026, 2:34 PM
Status
Received
Published
Sep 11, 2026, 8:19 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 9:17 AM
Severity
Important
Public date
Sep 11, 2026, 7:42 PM