CVE-2025-6857 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 06/29/2025
A vulnerability has been found in HDF5 1.14.6 and classified as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function H5G__node_cmp3 of the file src/H5Gnode.c. The manipulation leads to stack-based buffer overflow. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-6857 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the HDF5 library version 1.14.6, specifically within the H5G__node_cmp3 function located in src/H5Gnode.c. This flaw resides in the hierarchical data format library that is widely used for storing and managing large amounts of data in scientific computing environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the comparison operation of group nodes within the HDF5 file structure, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution when malicious data is processed through the affected function.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a stack-based buffer overflow that occurs when the H5G__node_cmp3 function handles certain input parameters without proper validation of buffer boundaries. This function is responsible for comparing group nodes within the HDF5 file hierarchy, and the flaw manifests when the comparison operation attempts to write data beyond the allocated stack buffer space. The overflow can be triggered by manipulating the structure of HDF5 groups during file processing, particularly when dealing with malformed or specially crafted group node comparisons. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it allows local privilege escalation attacks that can be executed by any user with access to the local system. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it has been publicly disclosed, meaning that malicious actors can readily develop and deploy attacks against systems running affected versions of HDF5. The local attack vector reduces the complexity of exploitation while maintaining high potential for system compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system control. This vulnerability particularly affects scientific computing environments, data analysis platforms, and applications that rely heavily on HDF5 for data storage and retrieval operations, including those in research institutions, financial analytics, and engineering simulation environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-6857 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems with the latest stable version of HDF5 that contains the necessary fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify all systems running affected versions of the library and ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additional protective measures include implementing application sandboxing, restricting file processing capabilities, and monitoring for anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, as exploitation may involve shell-based attack vectors, and T1548.001 Abuse of Functionality, which relates to the exploitation of legitimate software functions for malicious purposes. System administrators should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts and establish robust backup and recovery procedures to protect against potential compromise of data integrity.