CVE-2018-11204 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
A NULL pointer dereference was discovered in H5O__chunk_deserialize in H5Ocache.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-2018-11204 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the HDF5 library's object cache implementation. This issue manifests in the H5O__chunk_deserialize function located in the H5Ocache.c source file of HDF5 version 1.10.2. The flaw occurs during the deserialization process of HDF5 object chunks, where the software fails to properly validate pointer references before attempting to dereference them. When malformed or specially crafted HDF5 files are processed, the function attempts to access a NULL pointer, leading to an immediate application crash and subsequent denial of service condition. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic software reliability issue that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt services without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined pattern that aligns with CWE-476, which categorizes NULL pointer dereference as a common weakness in software design. Attackers can craft malicious HDF5 files containing malformed object chunk structures that trigger the vulnerable code path during library processing. The deserialization routine does not perform adequate input validation, allowing arbitrary data to flow into the chunk processing logic where the NULL pointer dereference occurs. This represents a failure in defensive programming practices and input sanitization mechanisms that should be implemented at multiple layers of the software stack. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect any application or system that relies on HDF5 library components for data processing, including scientific computing platforms, data analysis frameworks, and storage systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations that handle HDF5 formatted data files, particularly in environments where automated processing occurs. The remote denial of service attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw from external networks without requiring physical access or prior authentication. Systems that automatically process user-uploaded HDF5 files, integrate with scientific data repositories, or serve HDF5 content through web applications become prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability affects the broader ecosystem of HDF5-dependent software, including but not limited to data visualization tools, scientific computing environments, and large-scale data analysis platforms. Organizations using affected versions of HDF5 may experience service interruptions, data processing failures, and potential cascading effects on downstream systems that rely on consistent data handling capabilities. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper software testing and validation procedures, particularly for libraries that handle complex binary formats and are widely integrated into enterprise software stacks.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2018-11204 involve immediate patching of affected systems with updated HDF5 library versions that contain the necessary code fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating to HDF5 1.10.3 or later versions where the NULL pointer dereference has been resolved through proper input validation and pointer checking mechanisms. Additionally, implementing robust input validation procedures for all HDF5 file processing should be considered as a defensive measure, even in environments where patching may not be immediately possible. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in functionality, particularly in complex scientific computing environments where HDF5 libraries are extensively used for data management and processing operations.