Linux developers weigh emergency “killswitch” for vulnerable kernel functions

#### Executive summary: The Linux kernel community is reviewing a proposed runtime "Killswitch" mitigation after public disclosures of two local privilege-escalation vulnerabilities—Copy Fail (CVE-2026-31431) and Dirty Frag (CVE-2026-43284/CVE-2026-43500)—and the subsequent publication of working proof-of-concept exploits; Killswitch would allow privileged operators to make selected kernel functions immediately return fixed values (effectively disabling them) until the next reboot, providing a temporary way to reduce exposure while patched kernels are built and deployed.