CVE-2022-23121Network attack vector

Unauthenticated root code execution via AppleDouble error mishandling

Published Mar 28, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2025

Improper error handling in Netatalk 3.1.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via crafted AppleDouble entries. The parse_entries function fails to handle parsing errors correctly when processing untrusted AppleDouble metadata. No authentication is required, but the affected path is reachable when AppleDouble v2, rather than the default extended-attribute storage in 3.x, handles metadata.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability8.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper error handling in Netatalk 3.1.12 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root via crafted AppleDouble entries. The parse_entries function fails to handle parsing errors correctly when processing untrusted AppleDouble metadata. No authentication is required, but the affected path is reachable when AppleDouble v2, rather than the default extended-attribute storage in 3.x, handles metadata.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-23121
Published
Mar 28, 2023
Updated
Nov 4, 2025
Vendor
Netatalk
Product
Netatalk
Classifications
CWE-755, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 28, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 4, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

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  1. Affected versionversion=3.1.12

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Netatalk · Netatalkversion=3.1.12

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8Zero Day InitiativeCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-755Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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