CVE-2026-44051Network attack vector

Arbitrary file read and overwrite via symlinks

Published May 21, 2026 · Updated May 21, 2026

Improper link resolution in Netatalk 3.0.2 through 4.4.2 allows remote authenticated users to read or overwrite arbitrary files via AFP metadata. The afpd metadata path replaces a regular file with a symlink whose target comes from client-controlled file contents, without confining the link to the shared volume. An authenticated AFP client with write access can leave a persistent link outside the share boundary, exposing host files to later reads or overwrites.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.48%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper link resolution in Netatalk 3.0.2 through 4.4.2 allows remote authenticated users to read or overwrite arbitrary files via AFP metadata. The afpd metadata path replaces a regular file with a symlink whose target comes from client-controlled file contents, without confining the link to the shared volume. An authenticated AFP client with write access can leave a persistent link outside the share boundary, exposing host files to later reads or overwrites.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-44051
Published
May 21, 2026
Updated
May 21, 2026
Vendor
Netatalk
Product
Netatalk
Classifications
CWE-59, T1565.001, T1005
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 21, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 21, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.0.2 <=4.4.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Netatalk · Netatalkversion=3.0.2 <=4.4.2

Published CVSS scores

8.1NetatalkCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation
T1005Data from Local System

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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