CVE-2018-11203 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
A division by zero was discovered in H5D__btree_decode_key in H5Dbtree.c in the HDF HDF5 1.10.2 library. It could allow a remote denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11203 represents a critical division by zero flaw within the HDF5 library's H5D__btree_decode_key function located in H5Dbtree.c. This issue affects version 1.10.2 of the Hierarchical Data Format library, which is widely used for storing and managing large amounts of scientific data across various domains including climate modeling, genomics, and aerospace engineering. The flaw occurs during the decoding process of b-tree keys within the HDF5 data structure, where the library fails to properly validate input parameters before performing mathematical operations. When maliciously crafted data is processed through this function, the division by zero condition causes the application to crash, resulting in a denial of service scenario that can be exploited remotely by attackers who can submit malformed HDF5 files to vulnerable systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the b-tree key decoding mechanism. The H5D__btree_decode_key function processes hierarchical data structures that are fundamental to HDF5's organizational framework, where b-trees are used to index and organize data blocks efficiently. During the decoding process, the function attempts to perform division operations without first verifying that the divisor value is non-zero, creating a condition where any crafted input containing invalid key data can trigger the zero division error. This flaw aligns with CWE-369, which specifically addresses the division by zero vulnerability pattern, and demonstrates how improper validation of mathematical operations within data processing functions can lead to system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because HDF5 libraries are commonly integrated into scientific computing environments where data integrity and system availability are paramount, making this a significant threat to research and development infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11203 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire scientific workflows and data processing pipelines. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability allows attackers to crash applications that utilize HDF5 libraries, affecting systems ranging from laboratory servers to large-scale computational clusters used in climate research or genomics analysis. The denial of service nature of the attack means that legitimate users cannot access their data or perform computations until the affected applications are restarted, potentially causing significant delays in research projects and data analysis tasks. Organizations that deploy HDF5-based applications in production environments, particularly those handling sensitive scientific data, face increased risk of operational disruption. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including file upload mechanisms, network-based data transfers, or any process that accepts and processes HDF5 formatted data, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated data ingestion processes are common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11203 should prioritize immediate software updates to version 1.10.3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the division by zero condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all affected applications and services are updated promptly, particularly in environments where multiple applications depend on the HDF5 library. Additionally, input validation should be enhanced at application layers that process HDF5 data to include additional checks for malformed data structures, creating defense-in-depth measures that can detect and reject suspicious inputs before they reach the vulnerable library functions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems that process HDF5 data, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for data processing workflows and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle denial of service attacks targeting scientific computing infrastructure. The remediation approach should follow established security practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion and execution tactics, ensuring that both immediate patching and long-term security hardening measures are implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.