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Important Algif_aead Privilege Escalation Vulnerability in Ubuntu 20.04

ubuntu
Calendar Grey April 30, 2026
Dist Ubuntu Esm H88
Critical update for kmod in Ubuntu to block loading of algif_aead module preventing privilege escalation risks.
kmod has been updated to block loading of the algif_aead kernel module.

Summary

kmod has been updated to block loading of the algif_aead kernel module.

Software Description:

- kmod: tools for managing Linux kernel modules

Details:

USN-8226-1 added a mitigation to kmod to disable loading the algif_aead

module. This update adds the same mitigation to Ubuntu 14.04 LTS,

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Original advisory details:

It was discovered that the Linux kernel algif_aead module contained a logic

flaw allowing a local attacker to escalate privileges to root. This update

to the kmod package disables loading the algif_aead module as a measure to

mitigate the issue until kernel updates are made available.

See the following URL for more information

https://ubuntu.com/blog/copy-fail-vulnerability-fixes-available

Topics%20covered

Topics Covered

security advisory privilege escalation Ubuntu important kmod algif_aead

Update Instructions

The problem can be corrected by updating your system to the following
package versions:

Ubuntu 20.04 LTS
  kmod                            27-1ubuntu2.1+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
  kmod                            24-1ubuntu3.5+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
  kmod                            22-1ubuntu5.2+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

Ubuntu 14.04 LTS
  kmod                            15-0ubuntu7+esm1
                                  Available with Ubuntu Pro

After a standard system update you need to reboot your computer to make
all the necessary changes.

References

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8226-2

https://ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-8226-1

CVE-2026-31431

Severity
important
Lowest
Low
Medium
High
Critical

Ubuntu Security Notice USN-8226-2

Topics%20covered

Topics Covered

security advisory privilege escalation Ubuntu important kmod algif_aead

Package Information

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