CVE-2024-38439: Netatalk before 3.2.1 has an off-by-one error and resultant heap-based buffer overflow because of setting ibuf

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2024-38439 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting netatalk. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Netatalk before 3.2.1 has an off-by-one error and resultant heap-based buffer overflow because of setting ibuf[PASSWDLEN] to '\0' in FPLoginExt in login in etc/uams/uams_pam.c. 2.4.1 and 3.1.19 are also fixed versions.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 39%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2024-06-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: netatalk

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-06-16 13:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:40 UTCUpdated Record last modified

netatalk netatalk UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.0.0 and < 2.4.1 · >= 3.0.0 and < 3.1.19 · 3.2.0

Fixed in: 2.4.1, 3.1.19

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy netatalk || rpm -q netatalk || netatalk --version

2. UPGRADE to 2.4.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade netatalk

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade netatalk

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison netatalk sudo apt install netatalk=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold netatalk

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list netatalk sudo dnf downgrade netatalk-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add netatalk

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-38439?

netatalk: upgrade to 2.4.1, 3.1.19. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-38439 being exploited?

CVE-2024-38439 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-38439 affect?

CVE-2024-38439 affects netatalk. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Netatalk before 3.2.1 has an off-by-one error and resultant heap-based buffer overflow because of setting ibuf[PASSWDLEN] to '\0' in FPLoginExt in login in etc/uams/uams_pam.c. 2.4.1 and 3.1.19 are also fixed versions.

How urgent is CVE-2024-38439?

Priority 59/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2024-38441 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE Netatalk before 3.2.1 has an off-by-one error and resultant heap-based buffer overflow because of setting ibuf
CVE-2024-38440 HIGH 7.5 UPGRADE Netatalk before 3.2.1 has an off-by-one error, and resultant heap-based buffer overflow and segmentation viola
CVE-2023-42464 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE A Type Confusion vulnerability was found in the Spotlight RPC functions in afpd in Netatalk 3.1.x before 3.1.1

References

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