CVE-2026-72411: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: mxl862xx: fix use-after-free of DSA ports in crc_err

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: mxl862xx: fix use-after-free of DSA ports in crc_err_work Upon an MDIO CRC error

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: mxl862xx: fix use-after-free of DSA ports in crc_err_work Upon an MDIO CRC error mxl862xx_crc_err_work_fn() walks the DSA ports and closes the CPU port conduits: dsa_switch_for_each_cpu_port(dp, priv->ds) dev_close(dp->conduit); mxl862xx_remove() unregisters the switch before cancelling this work: set_bit(MXL862XX_FLAG_WORK_STOPPED, &priv->flags); cancel_delayed_work_sync(&priv->stats_work); dsa_unregister_switch(ds); mxl862xx_host_shutdown(priv); dsa_unregister_switch() frees the dsa_port objects. If a CRC error schedules the work during teardown it can run after the ports have been freed and dereference freed memory. Guard the port walk with MXL862XX_FLAG_WORK_STOPPED, which is already set before dsa_unregister_switch(). DSA tears the ports down under rtnl_lock(), so checking the flag under rtnl_lock() means the work either runs before teardown and sees valid ports, or runs afterwards, observes the flag and skips the walk. This mirrors the host_flood_work handler, which skips torn-down ports under rtnl_lock().

Description from the National Vulnerability Database, published by 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67

What it means for a small business

Linux is on the computers, phones or browsers your team uses every day. Turn on automatic updates and restart: most of these fixes only take effect after a restart.

How likely is an attack? The Exploit Prediction Scoring System, run by FIRST (the global association of security response teams), puts the odds of this one being exploited in the next 30 days at 0.17%, higher than 5% of CVEs. That’s low, but low isn’t zero, and the odds jump the day someone publishes an exploit. Scored October 29, 2026, updated daily.

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Sources

Part of the Huttenlocher Technologies vulnerability database, refreshed twice a day from CISA and the NVD. The title, category and plain-language guidance are ours; check the linked record before acting on a detail. This is general guidance, not a review of your systems.

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