CVE-2016-4332 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
The library's failure to check if certain message types support a particular flag, the HDF5 1.8.16 library will cast the structure to an alternative structure and then assign to fields that aren't supported by the message type and the library will write outside the bounds of the heap buffer. This can lead to code execution under the context of the library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4332 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the HDF5 1.8.16 library that stems from inadequate validation of message type flags during data processing operations. This flaw exists in the library's handling of structured data within the Hierarchical Data Format, a widely used standard for storing and managing large amounts of scientific data across various domains including climate modeling, genomics, and financial analysis. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes messages that contain specific flag configurations without proper verification of whether those flags are supported by the target message type.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a dangerous type casting operation where the library attempts to convert a data structure to an alternative representation without first validating the compatibility of message types with specific flags. When the library encounters a message with unsupported flag combinations, it proceeds to cast the structure to an incompatible format and subsequently assigns values to fields that do not exist within the target message type's definition. This fundamental mismatch leads to memory corruption as the library writes beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory regions containing critical data structures or executable code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates a potential code execution vector that could be exploited by malicious actors. When the library writes outside the bounds of the heap buffer, it can overwrite function pointers, return addresses, or other critical metadata within the program's memory space. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the process running the affected library, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems processing HDF5 formatted data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given HDF5's widespread adoption in scientific computing environments where data integrity and system security are paramount.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and memory safety practices that are commonly exploited in modern attack campaigns targeting data processing libraries. Organizations using affected versions of the HDF5 library should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing input validation controls, and deploying memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability highlights the importance of rigorous testing for memory safety in scientific computing libraries where data integrity is critical and the consequences of exploitation can be severe.