CVE-2018-17437 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
Memory leak in the H5O_dtype_decode_helper() function in H5Odtype.c in the HDF HDF5 through 1.10.3 library allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a crafted HDF5 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17437 represents a critical memory leak flaw within the HDF5 library ecosystem, specifically affecting versions through 1.10.3. This issue resides in the H5O_dtype_decode_helper() function located within the H5Odtype.c source file, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in how the library handles data type decoding operations. The flaw manifests when processing maliciously crafted HDF5 files that exploit improper memory management during the decoding phase, leading to uncontrolled memory consumption that can ultimately result in system resource exhaustion.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory deallocation practices within the data type decoding helper function. When the H5O_dtype_decode_helper() function processes malformed HDF5 files, it fails to properly release allocated memory resources, creating a persistent memory leak that accumulates over time. This memory consumption pattern aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes memory leaks as a common weakness in software implementations, particularly affecting applications that handle complex data structures and file formats. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be triggered through file-based attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted HDF5 content.
The operational impact of this memory leak vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, potentially enabling attackers to perform denial of service attacks against systems processing HDF5 files. When exploited, the vulnerability causes progressive memory consumption that can lead to system instability, application crashes, or complete system hang conditions. The attack surface is broad as HDF5 files are commonly used in scientific computing, data storage, and various analytical applications across multiple industries including finance, healthcare, and research institutions. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where memory resources are constrained or where automated processing of user-provided files occurs without proper input validation and resource monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17437 should prioritize immediate patching of affected HDF5 library versions to 1.10.4 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures for all HDF5 file processing, including file format verification and size limitation checks to prevent exploitation. System administrators should deploy memory monitoring tools and set up alerts for unusual memory consumption patterns, particularly in environments where automated processing of external data occurs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices, specifically addressing CWE-401 memory leak issues through proper resource management and implementing robust error handling mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for file processing operations and maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific memory leak vulnerability.