# CVE-2026-44057: Netatalk dead bounds check in Spotlight RPC unmarshaller

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44057-netatalk-dead-bounds-check-in-spotlight-rpc-unmarshaller  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-21. Updated: 2026-05-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-44057 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2026-05-21

Netatalk is an open-source implementation of the Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) used to allow Unix-like systems to serve files to macOS clients. A flaw in the Spotlight search component contains ineffective security checks, which could theoretically allow a logged-in user to access limited information they shouldn't see. While the risk is considered low, it represents a failure in the software's internal defenses.

Technologies: [Netatalk](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/netatalk). Vendors: [Netatalk](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/netatalk).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-44057 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44057 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44057?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 21 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Netatalk 3.0.0 through 4.4.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44057?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-44057 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44057?** 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 the Spotlight RPC unmarshaller of Netatalk due to a dead bounds check (CWE-561). The root cause is a check on an unsigned value that results in an unreachable code path, rendering the defensive logic ineffective. A remote authenticated attacker with low privileges could potentially exploit this via crafted Spotlight RPC requests to obtain limited information. While the vendor notes this is not independently exploitable in a significant way, it serves as a defense-in-depth weakness. The issue is addressed in Netatalk version 4.4.3 or by applying the provided security patch.

## Affected products

- Netatalk Netatalk 3.0.0 through 4.4.2

## Timeline

- 2026-05-13: disclosed
- 2026-05-21: advisory

## References

- [https://netatalk.io/security/CVE-2026-44057](https://netatalk.io/security/CVE-2026-44057)

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