CVE-2026-80993
net: phylink: correctly validate returned PCS in phylink_inband_caps
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.
INFO
Published Date :
Sept. 11, 2026, 8:19 p.m.
Last Modified :
Sept. 11, 2026, 8:19 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Solution
- Update the Linux kernel.
- Validate PCS return values using IS_ERR_OR_NULL.
- Prevent dereferencing NULL or error pointers.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-80993.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-80993 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-80993
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
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The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-80993 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-80993 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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New CVE Received by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Sep. 11, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value 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. Added Affected New affected value received. <a href="https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/blob/main/cves/2026/80xxx/CVE-2026-80993.json">CVE-2026-80993</a> Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b6b533f83461c3730875cf3ed5ff6362dcb67be9 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f2849b1fd059ec9b3281b771e6ac5aad9feee851 Added Reference https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb4d77553841ae85bed9b2cf03351c401e871d85