CVE-2021-45830 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 01/05/2022
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in HDF5 1.13.1-1 via H5F_addr_decode_len in /hdf5/src/H5Fint.c, which could cause a Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2022
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45830 resides within the HDF5 library version 1.13.1-1, specifically within the H5F_addr_decode_len function located in the /hdf5/src/H5Fint.c source file. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited to disrupt system operations through a denial of service condition. The HDF5 library serves as a fundamental data model, library, and file format for storing and managing large amounts of data, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that rely on robust data handling capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests when the H5F_addr_decode_len function processes input data without adequate bounds checking, allowing maliciously crafted input to exceed the allocated buffer space on the heap. This occurs during the decoding process of file addresses within HDF5 files, where the function fails to validate the length parameter before attempting to decode address information. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices that do not account for potential integer overflows or excessive data consumption during the address decoding routine. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors when combined with other exploitation techniques. An attacker capable of controlling the input to the H5F_addr_decode_len function can cause memory corruption that may lead to application crashes, system instability, or in severe cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and memory layout. The vulnerability affects any application or system that utilizes HDF5 1.13.1-1 for processing file format data, particularly those handling untrusted input from external sources. This includes scientific computing environments, data analysis platforms, and any software stack that depends on HDF5 for data storage and retrieval operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-45830 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated HDF5 library versions that contain fixed implementations of the H5F_addr_decode_len function. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize all HDF5 file inputs before processing, particularly in environments where untrusted data sources exist. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 Exploitation for Execution and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, indicating that exploitation can lead to both system compromise and service disruption. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable applications, while monitoring for anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable library version within the organization's infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against this heap-based buffer overflow threat.