CVE-2021-44142
HighExploitedsamba: Out-of-bounds heap read/write vulnerability in VFS module vfs_fruit allows code execution
Published Feb 17, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2021-44142, DEBIAN-CVE-2021-44142, DSA-5071-1, SUSE-SU-2022:0251-1, SUSE-SU-2022:0252-1, SUSE-SU-2022:0271-1, SUSE-SU-2022:0284-1, SUSE-SU-2022:0287-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2021-44142, USN-5260-2, USN-5260-3
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2021-44142 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 8.8 v3.1) affecting samba (arch), rootio-samba, ctdb (amazon) and 22 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jul 25, 2024. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 74% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including apache2-mod_apparmor 2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, apache2-mod_apparmor 2.8.2-56.6.3, apparmor 2.13.6-150300.3.11.2.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
8.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
74%
Higher than 99.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
1 catalog listing
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2021-44142 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
The Samba vfs_fruit module uses extended file attributes (EA, xattr) to provide "...enhanced compatibility with Apple SMB clients and interoperability with a Netatalk 3 AFP fileserver." Samba versions prior to 4.13.17, 4.14.12 and 4.15.5 with vfs_fruit configured allow out-of-bounds heap read and write via specially crafted extended file attributes. A remote attacker with write access to extended file attributes can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of smbd, typically root.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Jul 25, 2024 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
2,555 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| sambaarch | See advisory | 4.15.5-1 |
| rootio-sambarootio | See advisory | 2:4.16.0+dfsg-2 |
| ctdbamazon | See advisory | 4.10.16-18.59.amzn1 |
| ctdb-pcp-pmdaamazon | See advisory | 2:4.15.5-0.amzn2022 |
| ctdb-testsamazon | See advisory | 4.10.16-18.59.amzn1 |
Patched Releases
apache2-mod_apparmor
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, 2.8.2-56.6.3
apparmor
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, 2.8.2-56.6.3
apparmor-abstractions
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2
apparmor-docs
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, 2.8.2-56.6.3
apparmor-parser
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, 2.8.2-56.6.3
apparmor-parser-lang
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2
apparmor-profiles
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, 2.8.2-56.6.3
apparmor-utils
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, 2.8.2-56.6.3
apparmor-utils-lang
2.13.6-150300.3.11.2
ca-certificates
1_201403302107-15.3.3
ctdb
2:4.15.5-0.amzn2022, 2:4.16.2-0.amzn2022.0.2, 4.10.16-18.59.amzn1, 4.10.16-18.amzn2.0.1, 4.10.16-18.el7_9, 4.11.14+git.319.91d693db37c-4.35.1, 4.13.13+git.545.5897c2d94f3-3.12.1, 4.14.5-9.el8_5, 4.15.4+git.324.8332acf1a63-150300.3.25.3, 4.15.4+git.324.8332acf1a63-3.54.1, 4.15.5+git.328.f1f29505d84-1.1, 4.6.16+git.320.a2d80a7efef-3.70.1, 4.7.11+git.365.5e9f8cc5fa0-4.63.1, 4.9.5+git.483.212a7ebca6b-3.64.1
ctdb-pcp-pmda
2:4.15.5-0.amzn2022, 4.15.4+git.324.8332acf1a63-150300.3.25.3, 4.15.5+git.328.f1f29505d84-1.1
ctdb-tests
4.10.16-18.59.amzn1, 4.10.16-18.amzn2.0.1, 4.10.16-18.el7_9
gnutls
3.4.17-8.4.1
krb5
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-32bit
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-client
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-devel
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-devel-32bit
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-mini
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-mini-devel
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-plugin-kdb-ldap
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-plugin-preauth-otp
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-plugin-preauth-pkinit
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
krb5-plugin-preauth-spake
1.19.2-150300.8.3.2
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Feb 17, 2022
Added to Industry KEV feed
Jul 25, 2024
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read
- CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write
References
- advisoryRHSA-2022:0328
- advisoryRHSA-2022:0329
- advisoryRHSA-2022:0330
- advisoryRHSA-2022:0331
- advisoryRHSA-2022:0332
FAQ
Common Questions.
The Samba vfs_fruit module uses extended file attributes (EA, xattr) to provide "...enhanced compatibility with Apple SMB clients and interoperability with a Netatalk 3 AFP fileserver." Samba versions prior to 4.13.17, 4.14.12 and 4.15.5 with vfs_fruit configured allow out-of-bounds heap read and write via specially c…
Affected: samba (arch); rootio-samba; ctdb (amazon), among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed since Jul 25, 2024.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including apache2-mod_apparmor 2.13.6-150300.3.11.2, apache2-mod_apparmor 2.8.2-56.6.3, apparmor 2.13.6-150300.3.11.2.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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