# CVE-2026-16445: Dracut: dracut: root code execution via dhcp options command injection in networkmanager initrd module

Status: published. Published: 2026-07-21. Updated: 2026-11-02.

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

- 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: redhat)

## Affected products and versions

- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (dracut): ≥ 0:049-244.git20260529.el8_10; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support (dracut): ≥ 0:049-138.git20220131.el8_4.1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On (dracut): ≥ 0:049-138.git20220131.el8_4.1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Advanced Mission Critical Update Support (dracut): ≥ 0:049-203.git20220511.el8_6.1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 Extended Update Support Long-Life Add-On (dracut): ≥ 0:049-203.git20220511.el8_6.1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Telecommunications Update Service (dracut): ≥ 0:049-223.git20230119.el8_8.1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.8 Update Services for SAP Solutions (dracut): ≥ 0:049-223.git20230119.el8_8.1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.12 (rhcos): ≥ 412.86.202610250235-0; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Hardened Images (dracut-main): ≥ 109-7.hum1; < * (unaffected, rpm). Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 (dracut): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 (dracut): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (dracut): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (dracut): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat
- Red Hat / Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5 (dracut): Version range not reported. Source: CNA: redhat

## Severity and prioritization

- CVSS 3.1: 7.5 (high); CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H; source: CNA: redhat

- CISA KEV: No listing in collected sources

- EPSS: 3.22% as of 2026-11-02; percentile 88.23%

- SSVC: exploitation none; automatable no; technical impact total; source ADP: CISA-ADP

- Weaknesses: CWE-78

## Exploit evidence

No exploit evidence in collected sources. This is not proof of no exploitation.

## References

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26534 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:40700 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:61252 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:69118 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:69119 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:90272 (CNA: redhat; vendor-advisory, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-16445 (CNA: redhat; vdb-entry, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2459963 (CNA: redhat)

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2503147 (CNA: redhat; issue-tracking, x_refsource_REDHAT)

- https://github.com/dracutdevs/dracut/commit/e509c638e6 (CNA: redhat)

## Provenance

- CNA: redhat: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-16445; retrieved 2026-11-02; source updated 2026-11-02

- FIRST EPSS: https://api.first.org/data/v1/epss?cve=CVE-2026-16445; retrieved 2026-11-02; source updated Not reported

Revision: 1186508018ec07b304793604b80158922b08d9508ff0d94ade80599bb1b1d18d

Canonical: https://y2.dev/cve/CVE-2026-16445

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