Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 mxl862xx mxl862xx_crc_err_work_fn use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as very critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4. Affected by this issue is the function mxl862xx_crc_err_work_fn of the component mxl862xx. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-72411. The attack may be performed from remote. There is no available exploit.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 7.1.4 and classified as very critical. This vulnerability affects the function mxl862xx_crc_err_work_fn of the component mxl862xx. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

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().

The advisory is available at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-72411 since 08/09/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Technical details are known, but there is no available exploit. The structure of the vulnerability defines a possible price range of USD $5k-$25k at the moment (estimation calculated on 08/15/2026).

Applying the patch cf52622fbc274eb4ca9a2066b258da2ae3dc7406/bcb3b8314611ed9cb4ff4bff484ef9b154fd1b83 is able to eliminate this problem.

If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 7.1.0
• 7.1.1
• 7.1.2
• 7.1.3
• 7.1.4

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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