CVE-2018-13871 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library. There is a heap-based buffer overflow in the function H5FL_blk_malloc in H5FL.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13871 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library, specifically within the H5FL_blk_malloc function located in the H5FL.c source file. This issue arises from improper memory management practices that fail to validate buffer boundaries during dynamic memory allocation operations. The HDF5 library serves as a fundamental data storage and management system widely adopted across scientific computing, data analysis, and research environments where large datasets are processed and manipulated. The flaw manifests when the library attempts to allocate memory blocks for data structures, creating a condition where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted input data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though in this case the overflow occurs in heap memory rather than stack memory. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential attack vectors for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within applications that utilize the affected HDF5 library.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability requires an attacker to craft specific input data that triggers the memory allocation path within H5FL_blk_malloc function. When the vulnerable library processes malformed HDF5 files or data streams, the insufficient boundary validation allows the allocation routine to write beyond the intended buffer limits. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can potentially corrupt heap metadata structures, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, data corruption, or more severe security implications. This vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where the library fails to properly validate input parameters before proceeding with memory allocation operations. The flaw represents a failure in the memory management subsystem of the HDF5 library and underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in cryptographic and data processing libraries. The vulnerability has been classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the T1059.007 technique, which involves the execution of malicious code through the manipulation of memory structures, specifically targeting heap corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for privilege escalation.
The widespread adoption of HDF5 library across scientific computing platforms, data analysis tools, and research institutions creates significant operational impact from this vulnerability. Applications ranging from climate modeling software to genomics analysis tools and financial data processing systems may be exposed to this vulnerability if they utilize the affected library version. The potential for remote code execution through crafted HDF5 files means that attackers could compromise systems simply by enticing users to open malicious data files. Organizations relying on scientific computing environments, research data management systems, and data analysis platforms face elevated risk due to the prevalence of this library in their infrastructure. The vulnerability affects not only the end-user applications but also the underlying data processing pipelines and batch processing systems that depend on HDF5 for data storage and retrieval operations. System administrators and security teams must prioritize the identification of affected systems and implement immediate remediation measures to protect against potential exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13871 should prioritize the immediate upgrade to patched versions of the HDF5 library, specifically version 1.8.21 or later, which contain the necessary memory validation fixes. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems utilizing the affected library version and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems processing HDF5 data, particularly those handling untrusted input from external sources. Input validation measures should be enhanced at application layers to filter and sanitize HDF5 data before processing, reducing the attack surface for this specific vulnerability. Security monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous memory allocation patterns and potential exploitation attempts targeting heap-based buffer overflows. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar memory safety issues within the broader software ecosystem. The implementation of address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though these are secondary protections given the fundamental nature of the heap overflow. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure rapid deployment of security updates across their infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing robust memory safety practices in security-sensitive applications.