CVE-2020-10811 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in HDF5 through 1.12.0. A heap-based buffer over-read exists in the function H5O__layout_decode() located in H5Olayout.c. It allows an attacker to cause Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10811 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format 5) library version 1.12.0 and earlier. This issue resides in the H5O__layout_decode() function within the H5Olayout.c source file, where improper bounds checking allows for memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes malformed HDF5 files containing specially crafted data structures that trigger the over-read condition during layout decoding operations.
This buffer over-read vulnerability operates at the memory management level and specifically targets heap memory allocation patterns within the HDF5 library's object layout decoding mechanism. The flaw occurs when the function attempts to read data from memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially causing the application to access invalid memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through file-based input processing, making it exploitable via maliciously crafted HDF5 files that could be encountered during normal library operation. The issue stems from inadequate validation of input data structures during the decoding process, where the library fails to properly verify the boundaries of memory regions before performing read operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10811 primarily manifests as a Denial of Service condition, where affected applications utilizing the HDF5 library may crash or become unresponsive when processing malicious input files. While the vulnerability does not appear to enable arbitrary code execution, the denial of service aspect can severely impact system availability and application stability. The vulnerability affects any software that relies on HDF5 libraries for data storage and retrieval operations, including scientific computing applications, data analysis tools, and systems that handle large datasets. The exploitability is relatively straightforward since it only requires the delivery of a malicious HDF5 file to trigger the memory access violation, making it a significant concern for systems processing untrusted data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to HDF5 version 1.12.1 or later, where the buffer over-read issue has been patched through enhanced bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization procedures for all HDF5 file processing operations, particularly when handling external or untrusted data sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing file access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security updates to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the data processing pipeline.