Executive brief
Netatalk is an open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP), allowing Unix-like systems to serve as file servers for macOS clients. A security flaw in the MySQL database backend used for tracking file IDs allows an authorized user to run unauthorized database commands. This could lead to the theft of sensitive file metadata, corruption of the file index, or a complete loss of database availability.
Technical details
A SQL injection vulnerability (CWE-89) exists in the MySQL CNID (Catalog Node ID) backend of Netatalk versions 3.1.0 through 4.4.2. The vulnerability stems from the improper interpolation of AFP-controlled filenames into SQL queries without sufficient sanitization or parameterization. An authenticated attacker with network access to the AFP service can provide specially crafted filenames to execute arbitrary SQL statements against the CNID database. This can result in unauthorized data retrieval, modification, or deletion within the database context. The issue is resolved in version 4.4.3.
Affected products
- Netatalk Netatalk 3.1.0 through 4.4.2
Timeline
- 2026-05-13: disclosed: Initial disclosure date reported by vendor
- 2026-05-21: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2026-05-21: patched: Version 4.4.3 released with fix