CVE-2026-16445
Dracut: dracut: root code execution via dhcp options command injection in networkmanager initrd module
CVSS Score
7.5
EPSS Score
0.0%
EPSS Percentile
0th
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.
| CWE | CWE-78 |
| Vendor | red hat |
| Product | red hat enterprise linux 8 |
| Published | Jul 21, 2026 |
| Last Updated | Jul 21, 2026 |
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CVSS v3 Breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Attack Vector
Adjacent
Attack Complexity
High
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Affected Versions
Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
All versions affected Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
All versions affected Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
All versions affected Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
All versions affected Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
All versions affected Red Hat / Red Hat Hardened Images
All versions affected Red Hat / Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
All versions affected References
access.redhat.com: https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26534 access.redhat.com: https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-16445 bugzilla.redhat.com: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2459963 bugzilla.redhat.com: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2503147 github.com: https://github.com/dracutdevs/dracut/commit/e509c638e6
Credits
This issue was discovered by Pavel Valena (Red Hat).