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

> Remote attackers can execute arbitrary root commands during boot via malicious DHCP options in dracut's NetworkManager initrd module.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 21 Jul 2026
- **Updated:** 27 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** DEBIAN-CVE-2026-16445, GHSA-4672-282m-8fgr, OESA-2026-3300, OESA-2026-3301, RHSA-2026:40700, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-16445, openSUSE-SU-2026:11657-1

## What is CVE-2026-16445?

CVE-2026-16445 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, published on 21 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official 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.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-16445?


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `dracut` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-caps` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-config-generic` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-config-rescue` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-live` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-network` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-squash` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut-tools` | Red Hat:hummingbird:1 | All versions | 0:109-7.hum1 |
| `dracut` | openSUSE:Tumbleweed | All versions | 112+suse.47.gec0b378-1.1 |

## How do I fix CVE-2026-16445?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2026-16445 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-16445 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-16445 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-16445 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10, published on 21 Jul 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-16445 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-16445/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-16445/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-16445
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-16445
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-16445

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-16445/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.