CVE-2021-45832 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2022
A Stack-based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability exists in HDF5 1.13.1-1 at at hdf5/src/H5Eint.c, which causes a Denial of Service (context-dependent).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-45832 represents a stack-based buffer overflow within the HDF5 library version 1.13.1-1, specifically located in the hdf5/src/H5Eint.c source file. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which defines stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The HDF5 library serves as a universal data model and file format system widely used for storing and managing large scientific datasets across various domains including climate modeling, genomics, and high-performance computing applications.
The technical flaw manifests when the library processes error handling operations within the H5Eint.c file, where inadequate input validation or boundary checking permits maliciously crafted data to exceed the allocated stack buffer space. This condition creates a scenario where arbitrary memory corruption can occur, potentially leading to unpredictable program behavior or complete application termination. The vulnerability is context-dependent, meaning its exploitation requires specific conditions or inputs that trigger the vulnerable code path, making it less straightforward to exploit compared to more direct buffer overflow scenarios. Attackers must craft inputs that specifically invoke the error handling mechanisms within the HDF5 library to reach the vulnerable stack allocation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can compromise the integrity of data processing workflows that depend on HDF5 for scientific data management. Organizations relying on HDF5 for critical research data storage and analysis may experience service interruptions when applications crash due to the buffer overflow, potentially resulting in data loss or corrupted datasets. The vulnerability affects systems where HDF5 is integrated into larger software ecosystems, particularly in high-performance computing environments where data integrity is paramount. Given that HDF5 is used across multiple scientific and engineering domains, the potential for widespread disruption exists when vulnerable applications encounter malformed data inputs.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to patched versions of the HDF5 library, as the maintainers have released fixes addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of HDF5 and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices in scientific computing libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution, where adversaries may leverage such vulnerabilities to cause service disruption or gain unauthorized access to computing resources. Regular security audits of third-party libraries and maintaining up-to-date dependency management practices remain critical for preventing similar vulnerabilities from impacting production environments.