CVE-2026-16445
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.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (1.03%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
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.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.5 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 1.03% probability · 62th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-78
- Source
- secalert@redhat.com
References
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:26534
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:40700
- https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:61252
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-16445
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2459963
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2503147
- https://github.com/dracutdevs/dracut/commit/e509c638e6
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.