CVE-2026-98795

net: sparx5: skip ptp deinit if init was skipped

Published Oct 18, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 4.4 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: sparx5: skip ptp deinit if init was skipped

sparx5_ptp_init() returns early on the base lan969x variants
because they do not have the SPX5_FEATURE_PTP flag. It also returns early
when no "ptp" interrupt is described. Unbinding the driver then causes a
NULL pointer dereference when cleaning up uninitialized tx_skbs queues:

Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address
0000000000000008
Call trace:
skb_queue_purge_reason+0x68/0x120 (P)
sparx5_ptp_deinit+0x64/0xc0
mchp_sparx5_remove+0x38/0x70
platform_remove+0x20/0x30
device_remove+0x4c/0x80

Before per-port tx_skbs were added, a NULL dereference would have happened
when calling ptp_clock_unregister() on the never-registered PTP clocks.

Fix by returning early in sparx5_ptp_deinit() if PTP is not used.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-1 Linux kernel vulnerabilities
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-9018-2 Linux kernel (HWE) vulnerabilities
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': 4.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H'}

threat_severity

Moderate

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: sparx5: skip ptp deinit if init was skipped sparx5_ptp_init() returns early on the base lan969x variants because they do not have the SPX5_FEATURE_PTP flag. It also returns early when no "ptp" interrupt is described. Unbinding the driver then causes a NULL pointer dereference when cleaning up uninitialized tx_skbs queues: Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000008 Call trace: skb_queue_purge_reason+0x68/0x120 (P) sparx5_ptp_deinit+0x64/0xc0 mchp_sparx5_remove+0x38/0x70 platform_remove+0x20/0x30 device_remove+0x4c/0x80 Before per-port tx_skbs were added, a NULL dereference would have happened when calling ptp_clock_unregister() on the never-registered PTP clocks. Fix by returning early in sparx5_ptp_deinit() if PTP is not used.
Title net: sparx5: skip ptp deinit if init was skipped
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, 9:25 AM
Reserved
Sep 25, 2026, 10:25 AM
Status
Received
Published
Oct 18, 2026, 4:17 PM
Modified
Oct 19, 2026, 10:19 AM
Severity
Moderate
Public date
Oct 18, 2026, 12:00 AM