CVE-2026-16445
Dracut: dracut: root code execution via dhcp options command injection in networkmanager initrd module
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.
Fixes and workarounds
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).
Source: CNA: redhatAffected products and versions
| Product | Versions | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-244.git20260529.el8_10; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-138.git20220131.el8_4.1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-138.git20220131.el8_4.1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-203.git20220511.el8_6.1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-203.git20220511.el8_6.1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Telecommunications Update Service Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-223.git20230119.el8_8.1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Update Services for SAP Solutions Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 0:049-223.git20230119.el8_8.1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.12 Red Hat rhcos
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
≥ 412.86.202610250235-0; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Hardened Images Red Hat dracut-main
https://catalog.redhat.com/software/containers/ |
≥ 109-7.hum1; < * (unaffected, rpm)
Other versions: affected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
Range not reported
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
Range not reported
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
Range not reported
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
Range not reported
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: redhat |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 Red Hat dracut
https://access.redhat.com/downloads/content/package-browser/ |
Range not reported
Other versions: unaffected |
CNA: redhat |
Version ranges are source assertions. Check the vendor advisory and your installed configuration before determining exposure.
CVSS assessments
| Version / score | Vector | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 / 7.5 high |
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H | CNA: redhat |
Exploit evidence
No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.
References
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26534CNA: redhat · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:40700CNA: redhat · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:61252CNA: redhat · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:69118CNA: redhat · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:69119CNA: redhat · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:90272CNA: redhat · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-16445CNA: redhat · vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2459963CNA: redhat
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2503147CNA: redhat · issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT
- https://github.com/dracutdevs/dracut/commit/e509c638e6CNA: redhat
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