CVE-2018-13874 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library. There is a stack-based buffer overflow in the function H5FD_sec2_read in H5FDsec2.c, related to HDmemset.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13874 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library, specifically affecting the H5FD_sec2_read function in the H5FDsec2.c source file. This issue arises from improper memory handling during file reading operations, creating a potential exploitation vector for attackers who can manipulate HDF5 files. The flaw is particularly concerning because HDF5 is widely used for storing and managing large and complex data collections across scientific computing, data analysis, and storage applications, making the impact of this vulnerability widespread across multiple industries and use cases.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper use of the HDmemset function within the H5FD_sec2_read function, which leads to a stack-based buffer overflow condition. When processing certain file structures, the function fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before performing memory operations, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption. The vulnerability manifests when the library attempts to read data from files using the sec2 driver, which is designed for sequential file access and is commonly employed in scientific data storage applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-13874 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution and system compromise. Attackers who can craft malicious HDF5 files can potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute code on systems that process these files, particularly affecting applications that utilize the HDF5 library for data handling. The vulnerability affects systems running the affected HDF5 library version and is particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted HDF5 files are processed, such as web applications, data processing pipelines, or scientific computing platforms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, and T1059, which covers the execution of malicious code through compromised applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of the HDF5 library to version 1.8.21 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement strict input validation for all HDF5 file processing operations, particularly in environments where external or untrusted files are handled. Additional defensive measures include deploying network segmentation to limit access to systems that process HDF5 files, implementing application whitelisting to restrict execution of unauthorized code, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential security gaps in the data processing pipeline. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in scientific computing libraries and highlights the need for robust security practices in data handling systems.