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Mallory
High

Remote Code Execution in Samba vfs_fruit Module

IdentifiersCVE-2021-44142CWE-787· Out-of-bounds Write

CVE-2021-44142 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Samba's vfs_fruit module. The flaw affects Samba versions prior to 4.13.17, 4.14.12, and 4.15.5 when vfs_fruit is configured. The module uses extended file attributes (EA/xattr) to provide enhanced interoperability with Apple SMB clients and Netatalk 3 AFP servers. A specially crafted extended file attribute can trigger out-of-bounds heap read and write conditions in vfs_fruit, leading to memory corruption. A remote attacker who can write extended file attributes to a share handled by the vulnerable module can exploit the bug to execute arbitrary code in the smbd process.

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For your environment

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of smbd, which is typically root. This creates a path to full compromise of the affected Samba server, including unauthorized access, modification of data, installation of persistent malware, and lateral movement from the compromised host.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, remove 'fruit' from the 'vfs objects' configuration in smb.conf to disable the vulnerable vfs_fruit module. More generally, restrict the ability to write extended file attributes on exposed shares until patched.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade Samba to a fixed release: 4.13.17, 4.14.12, 4.15.5, or later, or apply the vendor/distribution patch. The provided content also notes that downstream vendors including Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu, and OpenWRT released updates addressing the issue.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 1 candidate as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.

VALID 0 / 1 TOTALView more in app

All candidate exploits were filtered out by Mallory's validation.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType
CanonicalUbuntu Linuxapplication
DebianDebian Linuxoperating_system
Fedora ProjectFedoraoperating_system
Red HatCodeready Linux Builderapplication
Red HatEnterprise Linuxoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Desktopoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Eusoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Ibm Z Systemsoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Ibm Z Systems Eusoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Big Endianoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Little Endianoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Little Endian Eusoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Scientific Computingoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Resilient Storageoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Serveroperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server Ausoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server Tusoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server Update Services For Sap Solutionsoperating_system
Red HatEnterprise Linux Workstationoperating_system
Red HatGluster Storageapplication
Red HatVirtualization Hostapplication
SambaSambaapplication
SynologyDiskstation Manageroperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.
Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity

Community discussion across Reddit, Mastodon, and other social sources.