netatalk: Off-by-one Error
CVE-2024-38441 is a critical-severity off-by-one error vulnerability in netatalk, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.2.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating netatalk to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.92% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update netatalk to 3.2.1 or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
Netatalk before 3.2.1 has an off-by-one error and resultant heap-based buffer overflow because of setting ibuf[len] to '\0' in FPMapName in afp_mapname in etc/afpd/directory.c. 2.4.1 and 3.1.19 are also fixed versions.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Off-by-one Error
A product calculates or uses an incorrect maximum or minimum value that is 1 more, or 1 less, than the correct value.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- When copying character arrays or using character manipulation methods, the correct size parameter must be used to account for the null terminator that needs to be added at the end of the array. Some examples of functions susceptible to this weakness in C include strcpy(), strncpy(), strcat(), strncat(), printf(), sprintf(), scanf() and sscanf().
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in netatalk
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Off-by-one Error vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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