CVE-2024-32613 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 Library through 1.14.3 contains a heap-based buffer over-read in the function H5HL__fl_deserialize in H5HLcache.c, a different vulnerability than CVE-2024-32612.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/12/2025
The HDF5 Library vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32613 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition within the H5HL__fl_deserialize function located in the H5HLcache.c source file. This flaw affects versions through 1.14.3 of the HDF5 software library, which is widely used for storing and managing large amounts of numerical data in scientific computing environments. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the deserialization process of heap list entries, creating a scenario where the library attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such buffer over-read conditions typically arise when input validation fails to properly constrain data access patterns, allowing maliciously crafted input to trigger unauthorized memory access operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of serialized heap list structures within the HDF5 library's caching mechanism. When the H5HL__fl_deserialize function handles heap list deserialization, it fails to validate the length or boundaries of the incoming data before performing memory reads. This specific flaw falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities where software accesses memory locations beyond the intended buffer limits. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the library's core caching infrastructure, meaning that any application utilizing HDF5 for data storage and retrieval could potentially be exposed to this memory access violation.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that rely on HDF5 for data management, particularly in scientific computing, data analysis, and storage applications. Attackers could exploit this over-read condition by crafting malicious HDF5 files that trigger the vulnerable deserialization path, potentially leading to information disclosure, application crashes, or in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the memory layout and surrounding code context. The impact extends beyond simple data corruption as the vulnerability could allow adversaries to extract sensitive information from memory regions adjacent to the corrupted buffer, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security-sensitive data is processed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-32613 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, with the release of HDF5 version 1.14.4 addressing this specific over-read condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation procedures for all HDF5 file processing activities and consider deploying runtime monitoring solutions to detect anomalous memory access patterns. Security teams should also review their data ingestion processes to ensure that only trusted sources can provide HDF5 files, implementing additional sanitization measures before processing. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Credential Access) suggests that exploitation could potentially lead to credential theft or privilege escalation if the affected systems process sensitive data, making this vulnerability particularly relevant for enterprise security postures. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts.