CVE-2024-38441
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Netatalk's AFP service due to an off-by-one error when processing file/directory names. Attackers can exploit this to execute arbitrary code or crash the service. All systems running vulnerable Netatalk versions with AFP enabled are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Netatalk
📦 What is this software?
Netatalk by Netatalk
Netatalk by Netatalk
Netatalk by Netatalk
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with root privileges leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Service crash causing denial of service, potentially followed by remote code execution if exploit is refined.
If Mitigated
Denial of service only if exploit attempts are blocked or fail, with no privilege escalation.
🎯 Exploit Status
CVSS 9.8 suggests relatively straightforward exploitation, but no public exploit code confirmed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.4.1, 3.1.19, or 3.2.1
Vendor Advisory: https://netatalk.io/security/CVE-2024-38441
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Stop Netatalk service. 2. Update to patched version via package manager or source compilation. 3. Restart Netatalk service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AFP Service
linuxTemporarily disable the vulnerable AFP protocol if not required
sudo systemctl stop netatalk
sudo systemctl disable netatalk
Network Segmentation
linuxRestrict access to Netatalk AFP port (548/tcp) using firewall rules
sudo iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 548 -j DROP
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit AFP service exposure
- Deploy runtime protection/ASLR to make exploitation more difficult
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Netatalk version: netatalk -v or dpkg -l | grep netatalkCheck Version:
netatalk -v 2>/dev/null || dpkg -l netatalk 2>/dev/null || rpm -q netatalk 2>/dev/nullVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm version is 2.4.1, 3.1.19, or 3.2.1 or higher📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Netatalk crash logs
- Unexpected AFP connection attempts
- Memory corruption errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic to TCP port 548
- Malformed AFP protocol packets
SIEM Query:
source="netatalk.log" AND ("segmentation fault" OR "buffer overflow" OR "crash")🔗 References
- https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/blob/90d91a9ac9a7d6132ab7620d31c8c23400949206/etc/afpd/directory.c#L2333
- https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/issues/1098
- https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/security/advisories/GHSA-mj6v-cr68-mj9q
- https://netatalk.io/security/CVE-2024-38441
- https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/blob/90d91a9ac9a7d6132ab7620d31c8c23400949206/etc/afpd/directory.c#L2333
- https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/issues/1098
- https://github.com/Netatalk/netatalk/security/advisories/GHSA-mj6v-cr68-mj9q
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/11/msg00026.html
- https://netatalk.io/security/CVE-2024-38441
