CVE-2016-8637: A local information disclosure issue was found in dracut before 045 when generating initramfs images with worl

Q: How do I fix CVE-2016-8637?

dracut: upgrade to 045. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2016-8637 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8637 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2016-8637 affect?

CVE-2016-8637 affects dracut. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). A local information disclosure issue was found in dracut before 045 when generating initramfs images with world-readable permissions when 'early cpio' is used, such as when including microcode updates. Local attacker can use this to obtain

Q: How urgent is CVE-2016-8637?

Priority 28/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 5.0UPGRADE

CVE-2016-8637 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting dracut. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A local information disclosure issue was found in dracut before 045 when generating initramfs images with world-readable permissions when 'early cpio' is used, such as when including microcode updates. Local attacker can use this to obtain sensitive information from these files, such as encryption keys or credentials.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 76%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-732, CWE-200
Published	2018-08-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Red Hat, Inc. · Vendor: dracut project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2018-08-01 13:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:54 UTCUpdated Record last modified

dracut project dracut UPGRADE

Affected: < 045

Fixed in: 045

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy dracut || rpm -q dracut || dracut --version

2. UPGRADE to 045 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade dracut

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade dracut

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2016-8637?

dracut: upgrade to 045. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2016-8637 being exploited?

CVE-2016-8637 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2016-8637 affect?

CVE-2016-8637 affects dracut. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). A local information disclosure issue was found in dracut before 045 when generating initramfs images with world-readable permissions when 'early cpio' is used, such as when including microcode updates. Local attacker can use this to obtain

How urgent is CVE-2016-8637?

Priority 28/100. Public exploit reference

References

← Back to latest CVEs