‘Trivial’ exploit can give attackers root access to Linux kernel

CSOs must ensure their Linux-based systems block unauthorized privilege escalation until distros release patches to plug a serious kernel vulnerability affecting all Linux distributions shipped since 2017. Until fixes are available for what’s been dubbed the Copy Fail logic bug ( CVE-2026-31431 ), which lets users easily obtain root access, there isn’t much CSOs can do, says Johannes Ullrich , dean of research at the SANS Institute, as long as they have monitoring for privilege escalation alread