CVE-2018-13867 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library. There is an out of bounds read in the function H5F__accum_read in H5Faccum.c.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13867 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library, a widely used format for storing and managing large amounts of scientific data. This library serves as the foundation for numerous scientific applications and data storage systems across various domains including climate modeling, genomics, and high-performance computing environments. The issue manifests within the H5F__accum_read function located in the H5Faccum.c source file, which is responsible for handling data accumulation operations during file reading processes. The flaw arises when the library processes malformed or specially crafted HDF5 files that trigger improper memory access patterns, potentially leading to system instability and information disclosure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the H5F__accum_read function, which fails to validate array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-129, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices and buffer over-read conditions. When an attacker submits a maliciously constructed HDF5 file, the function processes data without proper boundary validation, allowing memory reads beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The out-of-bounds read can potentially expose sensitive information from adjacent memory locations, including stack contents, heap data, or other critical system information that may be accessible to the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application crashes, as it creates potential attack vectors for information disclosure and system compromise. Systems that process untrusted HDF5 data files, such as scientific computing clusters, data analysis platforms, and research institutions, become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability can be leveraged in scenarios where the affected library processes user-uploaded files, network-transmitted data, or any external HDF5 content without proper sanitization. From an adversary perspective, this flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control communications, as it could enable attackers to extract sensitive data from memory locations that might contain credentials, encryption keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-security environments where scientific data often contains proprietary or classified information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13867 should focus on immediate library updates and comprehensive input validation measures. Organizations must prioritize upgrading to HDF5 versions that have patched this vulnerability, specifically versions 1.8.21 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for the bounds checking implementation. Additionally, implementing strict input validation protocols that sanitize all HDF5 file content before processing can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Security measures should include deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implementing sandboxing techniques for file processing operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems that process external HDF5 data, while regular security assessments should verify that all applications utilizing the HDF5 library are properly patched and configured to prevent exploitation of this memory access vulnerability.