CVE-2024-29162 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 through 1.13.3 and/or 1.14.2 contains a stack buffer overflow in H5HG_read, resulting in denial of service or potential code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29162 represents a critical stack buffer overflow within the HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format) library version 1.13.3 and 1.14.2, as well as potentially earlier versions. This issue manifests in the H5HG_read function which is responsible for reading global heap data structures within HDF files. The flaw occurs when the library processes malformed or maliciously crafted HDF5 files that contain oversized heap entries, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that overwrite adjacent stack memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the heap reading routine. When processing heap entries, the H5HG_read function fails to properly validate the size parameter of heap data structures before attempting to copy data onto the stack. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted HDF files that cause the function to write more data than the allocated stack buffer can accommodate, resulting in stack corruption. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow with potential for arbitrary code execution when the corrupted stack memory is subsequently used for control flow manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process untrusted HDF5 files, particularly those used in scientific computing environments, data analysis platforms, and applications that handle large datasets. The potential for denial of service means that legitimate applications could be terminated through crafted input, while the code execution capability allows for complete system compromise when exploited. The vulnerability affects any system running affected versions of HDF5, including but not limited to data processing servers, scientific computing clusters, and enterprise applications that utilize the library for data storage and retrieval operations.
The security implications extend beyond simple exploitation as this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation through code execution and denial of service attacks that can disrupt critical data processing workflows. The CWE classification for this issue would be CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern that has been exploited in numerous high-profile incidents. Organizations using HDF5 libraries should consider implementing defensive measures such as input validation, sandboxing of file processing operations, and regular patch updates to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring for unusual file processing patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in library code and highlights the need for thorough security testing of data processing components that handle external inputs, particularly in environments where data integrity and system availability are paramount considerations.