CVE-2024-32615 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 Library through 1.14.3 contains a heap-based buffer overflow in H5Z__nbit_decompress_one_byte in H5Znbit.c, caused by the earlier use of an initialized pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2025
The HDF5 Library vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32615 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that affects versions through 1.14.3. This flaw exists within the H5Z__nbit_decompress_one_byte function located in the H5Znbit.c source file, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on HDF5 for data storage and retrieval operations. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the decompression process of n-bit data, where the library fails to adequately validate input parameters before performing memory operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of initialized pointers within the n-bit decompression routine. When processing compressed data streams, the function attempts to write data to memory locations without sufficient bounds checking, leading to a situation where more data can be written to a buffer than it can accommodate. This heap-based overflow occurs specifically during the decompression phase of n-bit encoded data, where the library's memory allocation strategy does not account for potential variations in input data size or structure. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed or specially crafted compressed data that triggers the vulnerable code path, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions with controlled data.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-32615 extends beyond simple data corruption, presenting serious security implications for affected systems. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the application using the HDF5 library, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any application that utilizes the HDF5 library for processing data files, including scientific computing applications, data analysis platforms, and storage systems that rely on HDF5 format for data persistence. Given that HDF5 is widely used in research institutions, government agencies, and commercial environments for storing large datasets, the potential attack surface is extensive. The buffer overflow could enable privilege escalation attacks, data exfiltration, or service denial, making it particularly dangerous for systems handling sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the HDF5 library to version 1.14.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap-based buffer overflow. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected HDF5 versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls, deploying application sandboxing techniques, and configuring memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and could be leveraged by adversaries following ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution, particularly when combined with other exploitation vectors. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous data processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify proper implementation of memory safety practices in all applications utilizing HDF5 components.