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Security Advisories

SUMMARY

CVE-2026-31431, CVE-2026-43284, CVE-2026-43500: Copy Fail and Dirty Frag Vulnerabilities in Linux Kernel

This advisory addresses the Linux kernel vulnerabilities known as "Copy Fail" (CVE-2026-31431) and "Dirty Frag" (CVE-2026-43284 and CVE-2026-43500). Publicly available research indicates these vulnerabilities may allow an unprivileged local user to achieve local privilege escalation on affected systems. Remote exploitation is not possible with these vulnerabilities. The published exploit shows that in non-containerized deployments, a local user can gain root privileges. In containerized environments that execute arbitrary or untrusted third-party workloads, these vulnerabilities could potentially be leveraged to facilitate container escape and host compromisedscenarios.

Moxa is releasing this advisory now, before the permanent kernel patch is ready, so customers can take immediate defensive action. The verified interim mitigation described in this document effectively neutralizes the attack vectors while the permanent security patch is being developed and validated against Moxa production environments. 

 

CVE-2026-31431

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: crypto: algif_aead - Revert to operating out-of-place. This change primarily undoes commit 72548b093ee3, with the exception of how associated data is copied. As the source and destination stem from different mappings, there’s no advantage to in-place operations in algif_aead. Remove complexity added for in-place operation and copy the AD directly.

 

CVE-2026-43284 and CVE-2026-43500

Two related vulnerabilities, collectively referred to as "Dirty Frag," exist in the IPsec (ESP) and RxRPC networking stacks of the Linux kernel. An unprivileged local attacker can exploit these vulnerabilities to deterministically overwrite the kernel Page Cache, enabling Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) to full root-level control. 

 

Given the high severity of these issues, users should apply the solutions immediately to reduce security risks.

 

The Identified Vulnerability Type and Potential Impact 

CVE ID Vulnerability Type Impact
CVE-2026-31431

CWE-669: Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres

Local Privilege Escalation (root) 
CVE-2026-43284 CWE-123: Write-what-where Condition Local Privilege Escalation (root) 
CVE-2026-43500 CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write Local Privilege Escalation (root) 

Vulnerability Scoring Details 

CVE ID
Base Score
Vector
Severity

Unauthenticated

Remote Exploits

CVE-2026-31431

CVSS 3.1: 7.8

AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

High No
CVE-2026-43284 CVSS 3.1: 8.8 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H High No
CVE-2026-43500 CVSS 3.1: 7.8 AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H High No
AFFECTED PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS

Solutions

The table below lists all affected product series. Users should apply the interim mitigation immediately and monitor this advisory for patch availability updates. 

Product Series Affected Versions

Solutions

UC Series

  • UC-1200A Series
  • UC-2200A Series
  • UC-3400A Series
  • UC-4400A Series
  • UC-8600A Series
  • UC-8200 Series 

Moxa Industrial Linux (MIL)

  • MIL3 v1.4 and earlier, and MIL4 v1.0

  • MIL3 v1.4 and earlier, and MIL4 v1.0

  • MIL3 v1.2 and earlier, and MIL4 v1.0

  • MIL3 v1.3 and earlier, and MIL4 v1.0

  • MIL4 v1.0 

  • MIL3 v1.5 and earlier

Immediate Action (Available Now) 

  • Apply interim mitigations (see Mitigations section)

 

Planned Permanent Fix

  • A patch fix is currently being validated. This security advisory will be updated once the patch is ready for release.

V Series

  • V1200 Series
  • V3200 Series
  • V3400 Series

Moxa Industrial Linux (MIL)

  • MIL3 v1.2.0 and earlier
  • MIL3 v1.1 and earlier
  • MIL3 v1.1 and earlier 

VM Series

  • VM-1220 Series

Moxa Industrial Linux (MIL)

  • MIL3 v1.1.0 and earlier

IoThinx Series

  • ioThinx 4530 Series

Moxa Industrial Linux (MIL)

  • MIL3 v2.1 and earlier

AIG Series

  • AIG-302 Series

  • AIG-502 Series

Firmware

  • v1.4.0 and earlier 
  • v1.0.0 

BXP Series

  • BXP-A100 Series
  • BXP-A101 Series
  • BXP-C100 Series

Debian ordered via CTOS

  • Debian 11 V1.0
  • Debian 12 V1.0

Immediate Action (Available Now) 

  • If you are using CTOS, we recommend that you verify the current kernel version and arrange to apply the latest security updates as soon as possible. Please refer to the Solutions for CTOS section below for detailed steps.
  • For upstream security information, please refer to Debian Security Advisories.

DRP Series

  • DRP-A100 Series
  • DRP-C100 Series

Debian ordered via CTOS

  • Debian 11 V1.0

RKP Series

  • RKP-A110 Series
  • RKP-C110 Series
  • RKP-C220 Series

Debian ordered via CTOS

  • Debian 11 V1.0
  • Debian 12 V1.0
 
 

 

Mitigations

 

Interim Mitigation — Module Blacklisting (Apply Immediately)

Until a kernel security patch is available, users must apply the following mitigation. This procedure disables the vulnerable kernel modules and effectively closes the known attack vectors for CVE-2026-31431, CVE-2026-43284, and CVE-2026-43500 on affected systems.

IMPORTANT: Before applying this mitigation, read the Functional Impact Analysis section below. Disabling IPsec modules (esp4/esp6) will interrupt all VPN tunnels. Do not apply this mitigation blindly on systems that depend on IPsec for network connectivity. Additionally, Step 3 (flushing the page cache) may cause a brief I/O performance degradation as cached data must be reloaded from the disk. It is recommended to execute this step during a scheduled maintenance window on I/O-intensive systems.

 

Step 1: Mitigate CVE-2026-31431 (algif_aead module)

For AIG-302 and UC-8200 Series:

algif_aead is compiled as a built-in kernel module in this firmware and cannot be removed at runtime via modprobe or blacklisting. The only mitigation is to block its initialization at boot using the initcall_blacklist kernel parameter.

⚠️ These commands modify bootloader environment variables directly. A mistake may render the device unbootable and require manual recovery via serial console. Physical access is required before proceeding.

$ sudo fw_setenv bootargs 'console=ttymxc0,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk2p2 rootfstype=ext4 rw rootwait fsck.mode=force fsck.repair=yes noinitrd console=ttymxc0,115200 pci=nomsi initcall_blacklist=algif_aead_init'

$ sudo fw_setenv bootcmd 'mmc rescan;load mmc 2:1 ${loadaddr} working/imx7d-moxa.itb;bootm ${loadaddr}'

$ sudo fw_setenv boot_process 2

⚠️ Before rebooting, verify the changes

$ sudo fw_printenv bootargs

$ sudo fw_printenv bootcmd

$ sudo fw_printenv boot_process

Confirm the output matches the values set above, then reboot the device for the changes to take effect.

Once the firmware update with the official fix is applied, revert the boot configuration:

$ sudo fw_setenv boot_process 0

$ sudo fw_setenv bootargs

$ sudo fw_setenv bootcmd

 

For All Other Products:

Create blacklist configuration, unload module, and verify:

$ echo "install algif_aead /bin/false" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/moxa-cve-2026-algif.conf

$ sudo rmmod algif_aead 2>/dev/null || true

$ lsmod | grep algif_aead

No output indicates module is not loaded.

 

Step 2: Mitigate CVE-2026-43284 (esp4/esp6 modules - IPsec)

Determining If IPsec Is in Use

Check if your system has the esp4/esp6 modules loaded:

$ lsmod | grep -E 'esp4|esp6'

If no output is returned, IPsec is not running and you can safely use the blocklist method. If the modules appear in the output, verify whether IPsec is configured by checking:

$ ip xfrm state

$ ip xfrm policy

If either command shows active entries, IPsec is in use. Choose the appropriate method below based on your IPsec requirements.

 

Blocklist Method

Warning: This method disables IPsec. Only use if your system does not require IPsec connectivity.

$ echo "install esp4 /bin/false" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/moxa-cve-2026-ipsec.conf

$ echo "install esp6 /bin/false" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/moxa-cve-2026-ipsec.conf

$ sudo rmmod esp4 esp6 2>/dev/null; true

 

User Namespace Restriction Method

This approach maintains IPsec functionality by restricting unprivileged user namespaces instead of disabling the esp4/esp6 modules. 

Warning: Rootless containers, browser sandboxing features, and Flatpak will be affected. Root containers and regular applications continue to function normally.

$ echo "user.max_user_namespaces=0" | sudo tee /etc/sysctl.d/moxa-dirtyfrag.conf

$ sudo sysctl --system

 

Step 3: Mitigate CVE-2026-43500 (rxrpc module)

The rxrpc module provides RxRPC protocol support for AFS (Andrew File System). Most industrial deployments do not use AFS. Disable the module using:

$ echo "install rxrpc /bin/false" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/moxa-cve-2026-rxrpc.conf

$ sudo rmmod rxrpc 2>/dev/null; true

$ lsmod | grep rxrpc

No output indicates the module is successfully disabled.

 

Step 4: Verification

Confirm that all targeted modules are no longer loaded:

$ lsmod | grep -E 'algif_aead|esp4|esp6|rxrpc'

No output confirms successful mitigation. If any modules remain loaded, they are in active use by running connections. Schedule a system reboot during your next maintenance window to complete the mitigation.

 

Step 5: Drop Page Cache (Optional)

⚠️ Note: This causes a temporary increase in disk I/O as the cache repopulates. On file servers or database servers, expect a brief period of reduced read performance.

$ sync

$ echo 3 | sudo tee /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches

 

Functional Impact Analysis — Read Before Applying 

  • algif_aead:  Minimal impact. Affects only custom applications using the Linux userspace crypto socket API. Standard industrial applications are not affected.

  • esp4 / esp6 (IPsec)

    • Blocklist Method: High impact. Disabling these modules will immediately terminate all IPsec/VPN tunnels and prevent them from restarting. Do not use this method on devices where IPsec is required for network communications or OT/IT segregation.
    • User Namespace Restriction Method: Preserves IPsec functionality but affects rootless containers (Docker/Podman), sandboxed browsers, and Flatpak applications. Privileged containers and standard applications are not affected.
  • rxrpc: Minimal expected impact. RxRPC is a specialized Linux networking protocol and is not used by standard Moxa industrial applications or typical default deployments. Disabling the rxrpc module is not expected to affect normal device operation. Customers running customized applications, third-party packages, or non-standard integrations should confirm that RxRPC is not required in their environment before applying this mitigation.

 

Solutions for CTOS

Update the Linux kernel to the patched version and reinstall the x86 SDK to ensure the updated kernel module is applied.

 

Step 1 – Add the Debian security repository

Debian 11 (Bullseye):

echo "deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bullseye-security main contrib non-free" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

Debian 12 (Bookworm):

echo "deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list

 

Step 2 – Update the package index and upgrade the kernel

apt-get update

apt-get install --only-upgrade linux-image-amd64 -y

 

Step 3 – Reinstall the x86 SDK

Download the x86 SDK from the Resources tab on the product page on the Moxa website. Then, reinstall it to rebuild the kernel modules against the updated kernel.

unzip <downloaded_sdk>.zip

cd Moxa_x86_Linux_SDK_<ver>_Build_<build_date>

./install.sh -y

 

Step 4 – Reboot the system

reboot

 

General Security Recommendations

To safeguard devices and networks, we recommend implementing the following recommendations to mitigate potential risks:

  1. Restrict Network Access
    • Use firewalls or access control lists (ACLs) to limit communication to trusted IP addresses and networks.
    • Segregate operational networks from other networks (e.g., enterprise networks) using VLANs or physical separation.
  2. Minimize Exposure
    • Avoid exposing devices directly to the Internet.
    • Disable unused network services and ports to reduce the attack surface.
  3. Enhance Device Authentication and Access Control
    • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing critical systems.
    • Use role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce the principle of least privilege.
  4. Regularly Update Firmware and Software
    • Keep devices updated with the latest firmware versions and security patches.
    • Establish a regular patch management schedule to address newly identified vulnerabilities.
  5. Secure Remote Access
    • Use encrypted communication protocols (e.g., VPN, SSH) for remote access.
    • Restrict remote access to authorized personnel only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms.
  6. Implement Anomaly Detection Techniques
    • Monitor network traffic and device behavior for unusual or unauthorized activities.
    • Use tools or techniques that can identify anomalies and provide alerts for potential threats.
  7. Implement Logging and Monitoring
    • Enable event logging and maintain audit trails on devices.
    • Regularly review logs for anomalies and unauthorized access attempts.
  8. Conduct Regular Security Assessments
    • Perform vulnerability assessments to identify potential risks.
    • Regularly review device configurations to ensure compliance with security policies.

 

Products Confirmed Not Affected

Only products listed in the Affected Products and Solutions section of this advisory are confirmed to be affected by these vulnerabilities. The products confirmed not affected are listed below. 

  • UC Series: UC-2100 Series, UC-3100 Series, UC-5100 Series, UC-8100 Series, UC-8100A-ME-T Series, UC-8100-ME-T Series, UC-8200 Series (MIL1), UC-8410A Series, UC-8540 Series

  • V Series: V2201 Series, V2403C Series, V2406C Series

  • AIG Series: AIG-101 Series, AIG-301 Series, AIG-501 Series

  • All other Inductrial Computing products such as DA Series, MC Series, and Panel PCs, etc.

 

Revision History:

VERSION DESCRIPTION RELEASE DATE
1.0 First release May 26, 2026

Relevant Products

AIG-302 Series · AIG-502 Series · BXP-A100 Series · BXP-A101 Series · BXP-C100 Series · DRP-A100 Series · DRP-C100 Series · ioThinx 4530 Series · RKP-A110 Series · RKP-C110 Series · RKP-C220 Series · UC-1200A Series · UC-2200A Series · UC-3400A Series · UC-4400A Series · UC-8200 Series · UC-8600A Series · V1200 Series · V3200 Series · V3400 Series ·

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