CVE-2017-17508 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
In HDF5 1.10.1, there is a divide-by-zero vulnerability in the function H5T_set_loc in the H5T.c file in libhdf5.a. For example, h5dump would crash when someone opens a crafted hdf5 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17508 represents a critical divide-by-zero error within the Hierarchical Data Format version 5 library implementation. This flaw exists in the H5T_set_loc function located in the H5T.c source file of libhdf5.a, specifically affecting HDF5 version 1.10.1. The issue manifests when processing malformed HDF5 files, causing the h5dump utility to crash due to the arithmetic exception. This divide-by-zero condition occurs during the type handling operations within the HDF5 library, where the software fails to properly validate input parameters before performing mathematical operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and error handling within the type setting mechanism of the HDF5 library.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted HDF5 file that triggers the divide-by-zero condition when processed by any application linked against the vulnerable libhdf5.a library. When h5dump or similar tools attempt to parse such malicious files, the H5T_set_loc function encounters a zero value in a division operation, causing an immediate crash of the application. This represents a classic denial-of-service scenario that can be exploited across any system utilizing the affected HDF5 library components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal file processing operations without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17508 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged to disrupt services that depend on HDF5 file processing capabilities. Systems utilizing HDF5 for scientific data storage, medical imaging, or financial data analysis could experience service interruptions when encountering maliciously crafted files. The vulnerability affects not just the h5dump utility but any application that employs the H5T_set_loc function for type handling operations. This includes various scientific computing frameworks, data analysis tools, and applications that process large datasets stored in HDF5 format, potentially leading to widespread service degradation across multiple domains.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the HDF5 library to version 1.10.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the divide-by-zero condition. System administrators should also implement input validation measures when processing HDF5 files from untrusted sources, including file format verification and sandboxing techniques. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-369, which describes the weakness of division by zero in software implementations. From an attack surface perspective, this issue corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under defensive evasion and execution phases, where adversaries may attempt to disrupt system operations through crafted input files. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability in their environments.