CVE-2026-16445

HIGH

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

Title source: cna
STIX 2.1

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.

References (6)

Core 6
Core References
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
RHSA-2026:26534
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26534
Vendor Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_redhat
RHSA-2026:40700
https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:40700
Vdb Entry, X_Refsource_Redhat vdb-entry x_refsource_redhat
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-16445
Issue Tracking, X_Refsource_Redhat issue-tracking x_refsource_redhat
RHBZ#2503147
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2503147

Scores

CVSS v3 7.5
EPSS 0.0099
EPSS Percentile 59.0%
Attack Vector ADJACENT_NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CWE
CWE-78
Status published
Products (8)
Red Hat/Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
Red Hat/Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
Red Hat/Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
Red Hat/Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 0:049-244.git20260529.el8_10
Red Hat/Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
Red Hat/Red Hat Hardened Images
Red Hat/Red Hat Hardened Images 109-7.hum1
Red Hat/Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
Published Jul 21, 2026
Tracked Since Jul 21, 2026