CVE-2018-14034 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 H5O_pline_reset in H5Opline.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14034 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the HDF5 library version 1.8.20, specifically within the H5O_pline_reset function located in the H5Opline.c source file. This flaw occurs when processing HDF5 files that contain malformed or maliciously crafted data structures, creating a scenario where the library attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the library's object pipeline reset functionality, which is responsible for managing the internal state of HDF5 objects during file processing operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-125 category of out-of-bounds read flaws, which are classified as a subset of buffer overflow vulnerabilities under the broader CWE-787 classification. When an application utilizing the affected HDF5 library processes a specially crafted HDF5 file, the H5O_pline_reset function fails to properly validate the size and structure of pipeline data, leading to memory access violations that can result in application crashes, data corruption, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the execution context. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because HDF5 is widely used across scientific computing, data storage, and visualization applications where file processing is a fundamental operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14034 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can compromise the integrity of data processing workflows in environments that rely heavily on HDF5 file formats. Systems utilizing affected versions of the library may experience denial of service conditions when processing untrusted HDF5 data, potentially affecting scientific research institutions, data analysis platforms, and visualization software that depend on HDF5 for their core functionality. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HDF5 files designed to trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, potentially leading to system crashes or more severe consequences if the library is used in security-sensitive contexts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automated processing environments where files are processed without human intervention, as it could lead to unavailability of critical data services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14034 should prioritize immediate upgrade to HDF5 library versions 1.8.21 or later, where the out-of-bounds read condition has been addressed through proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for all HDF5 data inputs, particularly when processing files from untrusted sources, and consider deploying sandboxing techniques to isolate HDF5 processing operations. The fix implemented by the HDF5 development team involves enhanced boundary checking within the H5O_pline_reset function to ensure that all memory accesses remain within valid buffer limits, preventing the out-of-bounds read condition from occurring. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in HDF5 file processing that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all systems utilizing HDF5 libraries are running patched versions to prevent potential exploitation through the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and control through data manipulation.