CVE-2019-8397 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the HDF HDF5 1.10.4 library. There is an out of bounds read in the function H5T_close_real in H5T.c.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8397 resides within the HDF HDF5 1.10.4 library, a widely used software library for managing and storing large amounts of scientific data. This library serves as a critical component in scientific computing environments, data storage systems, and various research applications where structured data management is essential. The flaw manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs within the H5T_close_real function located in the H5T.c source file, representing a fundamental memory access violation that can compromise system integrity and data security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the H5T_close_real function which handles the cleanup and closing operations of data type objects within the HDF5 library. When the library processes certain malformed or specially crafted HDF5 files, the function fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations. This out-of-bounds read condition allows an attacker to potentially access memory regions beyond the intended data structures, which could lead to information disclosure, system instability, or in more severe scenarios, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read under the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing a classic memory safety issue that has been a persistent challenge in software development.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8397 extends beyond simple memory access violations, as it can affect systems that process untrusted HDF5 data files from external sources. In scientific computing environments, data often flows from multiple sources including collaborators, research partners, or public repositories, making these systems particularly vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including malicious file uploads, remote data processing, or when applications utilize the affected library to parse user-provided data. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059.007, this vulnerability could enable adversaries to achieve code execution through application layer exploitation, while T1211 covers the technique of exploitation for privilege escalation that may be possible if the vulnerable application runs with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the HDF5 library to version 1.10.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds read condition. System administrators should implement strict input validation for all HDF5 file processing, including file format verification and size limitations to prevent malicious data from being processed. Additionally, deployment of runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can help mitigate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and access controls should limit the potential impact of successful attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools to identify systems running vulnerable versions of the library and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries in scientific computing environments where data integrity and system security are paramount considerations.