CVE-2024-32619 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 Library through 1.14.3 contains a heap-based buffer overflow in H5T_copy_reopen in H5T.c, resulting in the corruption of the instruction pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2024
The HDF5 library vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32619 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the H5T_copy_reopen function located in the H5T.c source file. This vulnerability affects versions through 1.14.3 of the HDF5 library, which is widely used for storing and managing large amounts of scientific data across various domains including high-performance computing, data analysis, and scientific research applications. The buffer overflow occurs during the processing of data type information within the library's type handling subsystem, specifically when the library attempts to copy and reopen data type structures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the heap memory allocation process during type copying operations. When the H5T_copy_reopen function processes certain data type configurations, it fails to validate the size of memory allocations against the actual data being copied, leading to a situation where more data is written to a heap-allocated buffer than its allocated capacity. This overflow directly corrupts adjacent memory regions and can specifically target the instruction pointer, which is a critical component of program execution flow. The corruption of the instruction pointer typically results in unpredictable program behavior, potential crashes, or in worst-case scenarios, arbitrary code execution capabilities for attackers who can control the input data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly across environments that rely on HDF5 for data management, particularly in scientific computing clusters, data analysis platforms, and applications handling large datasets. Attackers who can manipulate input files processed by vulnerable HDF5 versions may exploit this flaw to execute malicious code on systems running affected software. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through normal file processing operations, meaning that simply opening or processing an HDF5 file with maliciously crafted content could lead to system compromise. This makes the attack surface broad and potentially difficult to detect, as the vulnerability operates at the library level rather than requiring specific application-level interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-32619 primarily involve immediate upgrading to patched versions of the HDF5 library, specifically versions beyond 1.14.3 where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory management. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems utilizing HDF5 are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include input validation and sanitization for all HDF5 file processing operations, implementing strict file access controls, and employing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation tactics, particularly when considering the potential for remote code execution in environments where HDF5 libraries are exposed to untrusted data inputs.