CVE-2024-29158 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 through 1.14.3 contains a stack buffer overflow in H5FL_arr_malloc, resulting in the corruption of the instruction pointer and causing denial of service or potential code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29158 represents a critical stack buffer overflow within the HDF5 library version 1.14.3 and earlier. This flaw resides in the H5FL_arr_malloc function, which is responsible for memory allocation operations within the Hierarchical Data Format library. The stack buffer overflow occurs when the library processes malformed input data structures, specifically during array memory allocation procedures where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the HDF5 library's internal allocation mechanisms. When the H5FL_arr_malloc function receives crafted data that exceeds expected buffer boundaries, it fails to enforce proper stack bounds checking, leading to memory corruption that can overwrite the instruction pointer. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently exploited in various security incidents. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it can be triggered through script-based data processing scenarios where HDF5 libraries are employed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution. An attacker who can control the input to an application using the vulnerable HDF5 library can craft malicious data files that trigger the buffer overflow during processing. This scenario creates a high-risk environment where legitimate applications processing user-supplied data files could become compromised, leading to arbitrary code execution on the target system. The vulnerability affects any system that utilizes HDF5 versions up to 1.14.3, including scientific computing environments, data analysis platforms, and applications handling large datasets. The potential for remote exploitation makes this particularly dangerous in networked environments where data files can be transmitted and processed automatically.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-29158 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems running HDF5 versions through 1.14.3, with the latest stable releases containing the necessary fixes for the stack buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement input validation measures to filter potentially malicious data files before processing them through HDF5 libraries, particularly in scenarios involving untrusted user inputs. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of systems that process HDF5 data, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, application developers should consider implementing defensive programming techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures for libraries that handle external data inputs, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK technique T1590.001 Reconnaissance: Cloud Reconnaissance, where attackers often target outdated software components for exploitation opportunities.