CVE-2024-33873 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 Library through 1.14.3 has a heap-based buffer overflow in H5D__scatter_mem in H5Dscatgath.c.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified in the HDF5 Library version 1.14.3 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the H5D__scatter_mem function within the H5Dscatgath.c source file. This flaw manifests during memory operations involving data scattering and gathering within the HDF5 data model framework, where improper bounds checking allows maliciously crafted data structures to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of buffer sizes when processing data that is scattered across memory segments during read operations, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The heap-based nature of this overflow indicates that the vulnerability occurs within dynamically allocated memory regions rather than stack-based buffers, making exploitation more complex but still highly dangerous. This issue impacts the core data management functionality of HDF5, which is widely used across scientific computing, data storage systems, and enterprise applications for handling large datasets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the H5D__scatter_mem function failing to properly validate input parameters when processing scattered data structures. When the library processes data that requires memory mapping or restructuring during read operations, the function does not adequately check the boundaries of allocated memory blocks before performing memory writes. This allows an attacker to craft input data that causes the function to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting critical memory structures including return addresses, function pointers, or other program state information. The specific location within H5Dscatgath.c indicates this is part of the data scattering and gathering mechanism that handles complex data access patterns, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where diverse data structures are processed. The buffer overflow can lead to memory corruption that manifests as program crashes, data corruption, or more severe exploitation outcomes depending on memory layout and protection mechanisms in place.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous domains where HDF5 is deployed, including scientific research institutions, financial services, government agencies, and enterprise data management systems. Systems utilizing HDF5 for storing and processing large scientific datasets, medical imaging data, financial records, or simulation outputs become immediately vulnerable to potential exploitation. The vulnerability affects both local and network-based attacks since the buffer overflow can be triggered through malformed input files or data streams processed by applications using the affected library. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The widespread adoption of HDF5 across multiple industries means that a successful exploitation could impact thousands of systems simultaneously, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems running HDF5 Library versions through 1.14.3, with security teams implementing comprehensive vulnerability assessment procedures to identify all instances of the library in use. Organizations should establish strict input validation controls and implement memory safety measures including address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and heap integrity checks to reduce exploitation success rates. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential attack vectors, particularly in environments where external data inputs are processed. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous data processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while application developers should implement defensive programming practices including bounds checking and memory allocation validation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security hardening across all affected systems and applications utilizing the vulnerable library components.