Dracut: dracut: root code execution via dhcp options command injection in networkmanager initrd module
Summary
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. Affected products named by the advisory: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; Red Hat Hardened Images; Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4.
What this means
In plain English
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. Affected products named by the advisory: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8; Red Hat Hardened Images; Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4. Successful exploitation can let an attacker run code in the security context of the affected service or device.
Recommended action
The parsed official advisory does not currently specify a fixed release, mitigation, or workaround. Review the linked vendor advisory for the latest guidance before making changes.
Rewritten locally from the scraped official advisory data above; no generative API is used. The vendor advisory is authoritative.
Affected versions
No affected-version range was extracted from the source record. The vendor advisory is authoritative — check it before change work.
Official advisory · medium-confidence parse· fetched 4 hours ago·verify at source
Fixed versions
No fixed release is recorded yet. That does not prove no patch exists — confirm against the vendor advisory.
Official advisory · medium-confidence parse· fetched 4 hours ago·verify at source
Mitigation
The source record does not include mitigation steps. That is not a statement that no fix exists — read the vendor advisory below for the authoritative guidance.
Official advisory · medium-confidence parse· fetched 4 hours ago·verify at source
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