CVE-2024-29160 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 through 1.14.3 contains a heap buffer overflow in H5HG__cache_heap_deserialize, 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 heap buffer overflow vulnerability in HDF5 version 1.14.3 and earlier represents a critical security flaw that resides within the H5HG__cache_heap_deserialize function. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the deserialization process of heap data structures, specifically affecting the heap cache management component of the HDF5 library. The flaw manifests when the library processes malformed or specially crafted HDF5 files that contain oversized heap entries, leading to memory corruption that can compromise the integrity of the executing process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the heap deserialization phase where the H5HG__cache_heap_deserialize function fails to properly validate the size parameters of heap entries before attempting to copy data into allocated buffers. This inadequate input validation creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious heap entries that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in a heap buffer overflow condition. The overflow specifically targets the instruction pointer, which can lead to arbitrary code execution or complete denial of service when the corrupted program flow attempts to execute invalid instructions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable remote code execution in environments where HDF5 libraries are used to process untrusted data. Systems utilizing HDF5 for scientific data storage, particularly those handling data from external sources or user uploads, become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on HDF5 for data processing, including scientific computing platforms, data analysis tools, and storage systems. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that HDF5 is widely used in scientific computing environments where data integrity and security are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected HDF5 installations to version 1.14.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict input validation procedures when processing HDF5 files, particularly those from untrusted sources, and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms to isolate HDF5 processing operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems that process HDF5 data, while regular security audits should verify that all instances of the vulnerable library have been updated. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1499, Endpoint Denial of Service, highlighting the dual nature of the threat as both a remote code execution vector and a denial of service risk. Additionally, implementing memory safety controls such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata protection can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts.