CVE-2022-23125 in Netatalk
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2023
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Netatalk. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability. The specific flaw exists within the copyapplfile function. When parsing the len element, the process does not properly validate the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. Was ZDI-CAN-15869.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23125 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Netatalk file sharing server implementation that exposes systems to remote code execution without requiring any authentication credentials. This vulnerability specifically resides within the copyapplfile function, which processes application data during file operations within the AppleDouble file format handling mechanism. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation when processing the len element parameter, creating a condition where user-supplied data can overflow a predetermined stack-based buffer. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a severe security weakness that can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems that expose Netatalk services to untrusted networks or the internet.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious AppleDouble files containing oversized length values that exceed the bounds of the fixed-length stack buffer allocated for processing. During the parsing operation, the insufficient validation allows the length parameter to overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially corrupting the return address or other critical control data. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect execution flow to attacker-controlled code, effectively allowing remote code execution with the privileges of the Netatalk process. Given that Netatalk typically runs with elevated privileges to handle file operations across network shares, successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers exploit application flaws to execute arbitrary code on target systems. The stack-based nature of the buffer overflow also makes this vulnerability susceptible to exploitation techniques such as return-oriented programming and stack pivoting, which can be used to bypass modern exploit mitigation mechanisms like stack canaries and address space layout randomization.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-23125 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of affected systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges to root level, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within a network infrastructure. Organizations running Netatalk services, particularly those with exposed file sharing endpoints, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The lack of authentication requirements means that automated exploitation tools can target vulnerable systems indiscriminately, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. Systems that rely on Netatalk for network file sharing, including those in enterprise environments, educational institutions, and home networks, all face potential compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where Netatalk is configured to handle AppleDouble file formats, which are commonly used in macOS environments for storing extended file attributes and resource forks. The exploitation process requires minimal skill and can be automated, making it accessible to attackers with basic technical knowledge and increasing the attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-23125 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Netatalk versions, as the vulnerability represents a critical security risk that can be exploited remotely. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Netatalk services and restrict exposure to trusted networks only. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious AppleDouble file operations and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow suggests that traditional exploit mitigation techniques such as stack canaries and non-executable stack protections should be enabled on affected systems, though these protections are insufficient on their own. Network administrators should also consider disabling AppleDouble file format handling if it is not required for operational purposes, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. The vulnerability's severity warrants immediate attention in security operations centers, with monitoring procedures established to detect exploitation attempts and incident response protocols activated for systems that cannot be patched immediately. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities within similar network services, as the underlying architectural flaw in the copyapplfile function represents a pattern that could exist in other components of the Netatalk codebase or similar network services.