Copy Fail (CVE-2026-31431): Frequently asked questions about Linux kernel privilege escalation vulnerability

A flaw in the Linux kernel present since 2017 allows a local user to gain root access on virtually every major Linux distribution. A public exploit is available and reported to work reliably. Key Takeaways CVE-2026-31431 is a high severity local privilege escalation vulnerability in the Linux kernel reportedly affecting virtually every major distribution released since 2017.