net: dsa: mv88e6xxx: Fix refcount leak in mv88e6xxx_mdios_register

Kernel Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

28/06/2022

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

GSD-2022-1003966: net: dsa: mv88e6xxx: Fix refcount leak in mv88e6xxx_mdios_register. Affects Kernel versions >= a3c53be55c955b7150cda17874c3fcb4eeb97a89, < dc1cf8c6f9793546696fded437a5b4c84944c48b. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The net: dsa: mv88e6xxx package is a component of the Linux Kernel, which is responsible for managing network devices and protocols. It includes support for various Ethernet switches, including the mv88e6xxx series. These switches are commonly used in network infrastructure. The mv88e6xxx_mdios_register function is used to register the MDIO bus for communication with the switch. However, a refcount leak vulnerability has been identified in this function.

Vulnerability Detail

The refcount leak vulnerability in mv88e6xxx_mdios_register can lead to a resource exhaustion condition. When the MDIO bus is registered, the refcount is not properly decremented in certain error paths, causing a leak. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability to exhaust system resources, leading to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The impact of this vulnerability may vary depending on the specific use case and system configuration.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v4.14.283 or later. This fix is included in commit dc1cf8c6f9793546696fded437a5b4c84944c48b. Users can obtain the updated kernel from the official Linux Kernel repository: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/

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Workaround

There is no specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the fix mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.

Conclusion

The net: dsa: mv88e6xxx package in the Linux Kernel is affected by a refcount leak vulnerability in the mv88e6xxx_mdios_register function. This vulnerability can lead to resource exhaustion and potential denial-of-service (DoS) situations. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v4.14.283 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.

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