CVE-2017-17506 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
In HDF5 1.10.1, there is an out of bounds read vulnerability in the function H5Opline_pline_decode in H5Opline.c in libhdf5.a. For example, h5dump would crash when someone opens a crafted hdf5 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17506 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Hierarchical Data Format version 5 library implementation. This issue specifically manifests in the H5Opline_pline_decode function located within the H5Opline.c source file of the libhdf5.a library component. The flaw occurs during the processing of HDF5 file structures, particularly when handling line profile data within object headers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms that fail to properly verify array access limits during the decoding process of line profile information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious HDF5 file containing malformed line profile data that triggers the out-of-bounds memory access during the h5dump utility execution. This specific function processes line profile information stored within HDF5 object headers, where the decoder routine does not adequately validate the size or structure of incoming data before attempting to read from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The out-of-bounds read can result in memory corruption, application crashes, or potentially allow for information disclosure through memory access beyond intended boundaries. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs to ensure they are within acceptable ranges, and specifically relates to CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. When the h5dump utility processes a maliciously crafted HDF5 file, the out-of-bounds read can cause the utility to terminate unexpectedly or behave unpredictably, leading to denial of service conditions for legitimate users. However, the more concerning aspect involves potential information leakage through memory access patterns that could expose sensitive data from adjacent memory regions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to construct payloads that trigger specific memory access patterns, potentially leading to privilege escalation or code execution in applications that rely on HDF5 library functions for data processing. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize HDF5 libraries for scientific data storage and retrieval, particularly those handling untrusted data sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17506 should prioritize immediate patching of affected HDF5 library versions, specifically targeting the 1.10.1 release where this vulnerability was introduced. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures for all HDF5 file processing workflows, including the deployment of file format validation checks before any data parsing occurs. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of HDF5 libraries, typically version 1.10.2 or later, which contain the necessary boundary checks and input validation improvements. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for applications that process HDF5 files, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to prevent unauthorized users from uploading or accessing potentially malicious HDF5 files. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual h5dump utility behavior or memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in scientific computing libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting, where crafted inputs could be used to trigger memory corruption and system instability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated file integrity checking mechanisms and regular security assessments of data processing pipelines that utilize HDF5 formats to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in related components.