CVE-2026-44051: Netatalk arbitrary file read via symlink creation in afpd

CVE-2026-44051 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.1 · Published 2026-05-21

Netatalk, an open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) used to share files with macOS clients, contains a vulnerability that allows users to read files they should not have access to. By creating specially crafted links, an authorized user can trick the server into accessing files outside of the designated shared folder. This could lead to the exposure of sensitive system files or data belonging to other users on the server.

Technologies: Netatalk. Vendors: Netatalk.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-44051 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44051 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2026-44051?
High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.1, published 21 May 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Netatalk 3.0.2 through 4.4.2.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44051?
A patch was published on 2026-05-21: Fixed in Netatalk version 4.4.3 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-44051 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-44051?
Check whether you run Netatalk at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

A vulnerability exists in Netatalk's AFP daemon (afpd) due to improper link resolution (CWE-59) during metadata handling. An authenticated remote attacker can manipulate AFP metadata to replace a regular file with a symbolic link whose target is derived from attacker-controlled file contents. Because the application fails to validate that the resulting symlink remains within the defined share boundary, the attacker can gain unauthorized read access to arbitrary files on the host filesystem. The issue affects versions 3.0.2 through 4.4.2 and is resolved in version 4.4.3. A temporary workaround involves setting 'follow symlinks = no' in the global configuration.

Affected products

  • Netatalk Netatalk 3.0.2 through 4.4.2

Timeline

  • 2026-05-13: disclosed: Initial disclosure date reported by vendor
  • 2026-05-21: advisory: CVE published and NVD record created
  • 2026-05-21: patched: Fixed in Netatalk version 4.4.3

References

This page as Markdown. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.