CVE-2026-16445

Dracut: dracut: root code execution via dhcp options command injection in networkmanager initrd module

Published Jul 21, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.5 High EPSS 3.2% KEV · Not listed
Description
A flaw was found in dracut. A remote attacker on the adjacent network can exploit this vulnerability by providing specially crafted DHCP options, such as a malicious root-path, next-server, or bootfile name, to a system using dracut's NetworkManager-based initrd network module. These options are improperly handled and written into a temporary shell script without proper escaping, leading to command injection. This allows the attacker to achieve root code execution within the initramfs during system boot.

Remediation

Vendor Workaround

Avoid using the root=dhcp/netroot=dhcp/root=dhcp6/netroot=dhcp6 kernel command-line options — these cause dracut to trust the DHCP server's root-path option to determine the boot target. Configuring the netroot target explicitly on the kernel/PXE command line instead (e.g. netroot=nfs:<server>:<path> or netroot=iscsi:... with a literal value).

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Ubuntu USN Ubuntu USN USN-8828-1 dracut vulnerabilities
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel Els
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/a:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:6
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_els:7
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel Els
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:5
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4 cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4.12::el8
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel Aus
Redhat rhel Eus Long Life
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_aus:8.4::baseos
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_aus:8.6::baseos
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_eus_long_life:8.4::baseos
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_eus_long_life:8.6::baseos
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel Aus
Redhat rhel Eus Long Life
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Redhat rhel E4s
Redhat rhel Tus
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_e4s:8.8::baseos
cpe:/o:redhat:rhel_tus:8.8::baseos
Vendors & Products Redhat rhel E4s
Redhat rhel Tus
References
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8
References
Metrics threat_severity

None

threat_severity

Important

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A flaw was found in dracut. A remote attacker on the adjacent network can exploit this vulnerability by providing specially crafted DHCP options, such as a malicious root-path, next-server, or bootfile name, to a system using dracut's NetworkManager-based initrd network module. These options are improperly handled and written into a temporary shell script without proper escaping, leading to command injection. This allows the attacker to achieve root code execution within the initramfs during system boot.
Title Dracut: dracut: root code execution via dhcp options command injection in networkmanager initrd module
First Time appeared Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Redhat openshift
Weaknesses CWE-78
CPEs cpe:/a:redhat:hummingbird:1
cpe:/a:redhat:openshift:4
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:10
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:6
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:7
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos
cpe:/o:redhat:enterprise_linux:9
Vendors & Products Redhat
Redhat enterprise Linux
Redhat hummingbird
Redhat openshift
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
redhat
Published
Updated
Nov 4, 2026, 10:02 PM
Reserved
Jul 21, 2026, 8:23 AM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Jul 21, 2026, 1:17 PM
Modified
Nov 4, 2026, 10:18 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Jul 21, 2026, 12:00 AM