CVE-2020-10812 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in HDF5 through 1.12.0. A NULL pointer dereference exists in the function H5F_get_nrefs() located in H5Fquery.c. It allows an attacker to cause Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-10812 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within the HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format 5) library version 1.12.0 and earlier. This issue resides in the H5F_get_nrefs() function within the H5Fquery.c source file, where improper input validation leads to a situation where a null pointer is dereferenced during normal operation. The HDF5 library serves as a fundamental data model, library, and file format for storing and managing large amounts of data, making it widely used across scientific computing, data analysis, and storage applications. The flaw specifically manifests when the library processes certain malformed or crafted HDF5 files that trigger the function to attempt accessing a null pointer reference, resulting in an immediate program crash and subsequent denial of service condition.
This vulnerability operates at the core level of HDF5's file handling mechanisms, where the H5F_get_nrefs() function is designed to retrieve reference counts from file objects. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of file metadata structures, particularly when dealing with corrupted or maliciously constructed HDF5 files that contain unexpected or malformed reference count information. When such files are processed by applications using the vulnerable HDF5 library, the function fails to properly check if the target object pointer is valid before attempting to dereference it, leading to an immediate segmentation fault or access violation that terminates the application process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-476 as a NULL Pointer Dereference, which is a well-known weakness in software systems that can lead to system instability and denial of service conditions. This type of flaw is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where HDF5 libraries are extensively used for data storage and processing, as it can be exploited to disrupt critical data services and applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10812 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios within the ATT&CK framework's T1499.1 technique for network denial of service. Applications that utilize HDF5 for data processing, scientific computing platforms, and data analysis tools become vulnerable to exploitation when they encounter maliciously crafted files, potentially leading to cascading failures in data pipelines and system availability. The vulnerability affects not only individual applications but can also compromise entire data processing ecosystems where HDF5 is a foundational component. Attackers can craft specific HDF5 files that trigger the NULL pointer dereference condition, causing applications to crash repeatedly and rendering them unavailable to legitimate users. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for attackers seeking to disrupt services or create chaos within systems that rely heavily on HDF5 for data management. The flaw is especially concerning in environments where automated data processing occurs, as it can lead to unattended service interruptions that may go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10812 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in HDF5 version 1.12.1 and later releases. Organizations should prioritize updating their HDF5 installations to the patched versions to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within applications that process HDF5 files can provide an additional layer of protection against malformed inputs. Network segmentation and file access controls can limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to sensitive systems and preventing unauthorized file uploads. Security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify unusual application crashes or service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated HDF5 library versions across the enterprise infrastructure. The remediation approach aligns with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's protective measures, particularly in ensuring systems are updated with the latest security patches and maintaining comprehensive vulnerability management programs to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in commonly used software libraries.