CVE-2018-13869 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library. There is a memcpy parameter overlap in the function H5O_link_decode in H5Olink.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13869 represents a critical memory safety issue within the HDF Group's HDF5 library version 1.8.20. This library serves as a fundamental data storage and management system widely used across scientific computing, data analysis, and archival applications. The flaw manifests in the H5O_link_decode function located within the H5Olink.c source file, where a memcpy operation exhibits parameter overlap conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter validation within the H5O_link_decode function. When processing link objects within HDF5 files, the function performs a memcpy operation that inadvertently overlaps memory regions, creating a condition where source and destination buffers share memory space. This overlap occurs during the decoding process of symbolic links within the HDF5 object structure, specifically when the function attempts to copy data from one memory location to another without adequate bounds checking or memory separation. Such parameter overlap conditions fall under the CWE-121 category of buffer overflow vulnerabilities, where memory operations can corrupt adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and denial of service scenarios. An attacker who can craft malicious HDF5 files with specially constructed link objects could trigger the vulnerable memcpy operation, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within applications that process these files. This risk is particularly significant in environments where HDF5 files are processed from untrusted sources, such as web applications, scientific data repositories, or collaborative research platforms. The vulnerability affects systems using the affected library version regardless of the operating system, making it a cross-platform concern that impacts numerous scientific computing workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13869 focus primarily on immediate library updates and comprehensive system hardening measures. The most effective approach involves upgrading to HDF5 library versions that contain the patched implementation of the H5O_link_decode function, where the memcpy parameter overlap has been resolved through proper memory boundary validation. System administrators should also implement strict file validation procedures for HDF5 content, particularly when processing files from external sources, and consider deploying memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap-based memory protection features. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing the affected library version and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter with potential for privilege escalation.