CVE-2018-14035 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library. There is a heap-based buffer over-read in the function H5VM_memcpyvv in H5VM.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14035 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the HDF HDF5 1.8.20 library, a widely used data model, library, and file format for storing and managing large amounts of data. This issue resides in the H5VM_memcpyvv function located in the H5VM.c source file, which is part of the Virtual Memory management component of the HDF5 library. The flaw occurs when processing certain data structures that involve vectorized memory operations, creating a condition where the application reads memory beyond the bounds of allocated buffers. Such buffer over-read conditions are particularly dangerous because they can lead to information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially remote code execution depending on the specific context of memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the H5VM_memcpyvv function, which is responsible for copying data from multiple source vectors to a destination buffer. When the function processes malformed or specially crafted input data, it fails to properly validate the boundaries of the memory regions being accessed. This allows an attacker to provide input that causes the function to read beyond allocated heap memory, potentially exposing sensitive data from adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability manifests as a heap-based buffer over-read because the issue occurs within heap-allocated memory regions rather than stack-based buffers, making it more challenging to detect and exploit reliably. The flaw is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a common class of vulnerabilities that can lead to various security consequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous applications that rely on the HDF5 library for data storage and retrieval operations, particularly in scientific computing, data analysis, and research environments where large datasets are processed. Systems utilizing the affected HDF5 library version 1.8.20 are at risk when processing untrusted data files or when the library is used in network-facing applications. The potential consequences include unauthorized data access through information disclosure, application instability leading to denial of service conditions, and in some scenarios, the possibility of remote code execution. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious HDF5 files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer over-read condition and potentially gain access to sensitive memory contents or cause application crashes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14035 primarily involve upgrading to a patched version of the HDF5 library, specifically versions 1.8.21 or later where the buffer over-read issue has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications that utilize the affected library version, ensuring that the upgrade process is coordinated across all dependent software components. Additionally, implementing defensive programming practices such as input validation, memory bounds checking, and regular security audits can help reduce the risk of exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving data manipulation and privilege escalation, particularly when considering the potential for information disclosure and system instability. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection by limiting the attack surface and preventing unauthorized access to systems that process HDF5 data files.