CVE-2024-33874 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 Library through 1.14.3 has a heap buffer overflow in H5O__mtime_new_encode in H5Omtime.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2026
The HDF5 (Hierarchical Data Format) library version 1.14.3 and earlier contains a critical heap buffer overflow vulnerability within the H5O__mtime_new_encode function located in the H5Omtime.c source file. This flaw represents a severe security weakness that can be exploited to compromise systems processing HDF5 formatted data. The vulnerability manifests when the library attempts to encode modification time information during object header processing, specifically within heap memory structures where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory corruption. The buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate validation of input parameters and improper handling of memory allocation sizes during the encoding process, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development practices. The flaw can be triggered through malformed HDF5 files that contain specially crafted modification time metadata, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users process untrusted data from external sources. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The operational impact extends beyond simple crashes since the heap corruption can be weaponized to overwrite critical memory locations, manipulate program flow, or establish persistent backdoors within affected systems.
The security implications of this vulnerability are significant given HDF5's widespread adoption in scientific computing, data storage, and enterprise applications where data integrity is paramount. Systems processing large volumes of data, including research institutions, financial organizations, and government agencies that rely on HDF5 for data management, face elevated risk from this flaw. The exploitation requires careful crafting of malicious HDF5 files that trigger the specific code path involving H5O__mtime_new_encode, but once triggered, the vulnerability can cause denial of service or more severe compromise. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code through buffer overflow exploitation.
Organizations should immediately update to HDF5 version 1.14.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches addressing this heap buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for all HDF5 data inputs, particularly when processing files from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit potential exploitation scope if systems cannot be immediately patched. Additionally, monitoring for unusual system behavior or memory corruption patterns during HDF5 processing activities can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable library versions and conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all systems utilizing HDF5 components to ensure complete remediation of this critical security weakness.