CVE-2024-33876 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 05/14/2024
HDF5 Library through 1.14.3 has a heap buffer overflow in H5S__point_deserialize in H5Spoint.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2026
The HDF5 Library version 1.14.3 and earlier contains a critical heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the H5S__point_deserialize function located within the H5Spoint.c source file. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the library's handling of serialized data structures, specifically affecting the deserialization process of point datasets. The heap buffer overflow occurs when the library attempts to process malformed or specially crafted input data that represents serialized point coordinates, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the deserialization of point data structures, allowing an attacker to write beyond the allocated memory boundaries and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting malicious HDF5 files containing malformed point data structures that trigger the buffer overflow during the deserialization process. When the H5S__point_deserialize function processes these inputs, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of the incoming data before attempting to copy it into fixed-size buffers. This lack of proper input validation creates a condition where an attacker can control the amount of data being copied and potentially overwrite critical memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow, which falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific memory corruption occurs in heap memory rather than stack memory. The attack surface is particularly concerning as HDF5 is widely used in scientific computing, data storage, and analysis applications where users may unknowingly open malicious files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous domains where HDF5 is utilized, including scientific research institutions, financial services, government agencies, and cloud computing platforms. When exploited, the buffer overflow can lead to arbitrary code execution, denial of service, or data corruption that may compromise the integrity of critical datasets. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate file processing operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network-based security measures. Systems that process untrusted HDF5 data from external sources, such as data sharing platforms, scientific collaboration networks, or automated data ingestion pipelines, are at high risk of exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only the end-user applications but also the underlying systems that rely on HDF5 for data management, potentially creating cascading failures throughout data processing workflows.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the HDF5 library where this vulnerability has been patched, applying comprehensive input validation measures for all HDF5 file processing operations, and implementing network segmentation to limit exposure to untrusted data sources. The recommended approach includes deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing patterns, implementing strict file format validation procedures, and establishing secure coding practices that enforce bounds checking in all data deserialization operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their systems that utilize HDF5 to identify potential exposure points and implement proper access controls to limit file processing privileges. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security training for personnel who handle scientific data and file processing operations, as well as maintaining detailed logs of all HDF5 file operations for forensic analysis purposes. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing robust security controls in scientific computing environments where data integrity and system security are paramount considerations.