CVE-2026-17574 in HDF5
Summary
by MITRE • 07/27/2026
HDF5 contains a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability. Processing a crafted HDF5 file containing an attribute with an invalid variable-length datatype type field may cause the application to crash when the attribute is read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/27/2026
The HDF5 library presents a critical null pointer dereference vulnerability that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions when processing malformed data files. This flaw exists within the attribute handling mechanism of the Hierarchical Data Format version 5 library, which is widely used for storing and managing large amounts of scientific data across various domains including high performance computing, data analysis, and machine learning applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the library attempts to read an attribute from a crafted HDF5 file where the variable-length datatype type field contains invalid data that results in a null pointer being dereferenced during processing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the HDF5 attribute parsing routines. When an application loads an HDF5 file containing an attribute with malformed variable-length datatype information, the library's internal parsing code fails to properly validate the datatype field before attempting to access memory locations that may be null. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which represents one of the most common and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the core data processing functionality of HDF5 applications and can be exploited through simple file manipulation attacks where an attacker crafts a malicious HDF5 file with corrupted attribute metadata.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous industries that rely on HDF5 for scientific data management, including but not limited to aerospace engineering, climate modeling, financial analytics, and biomedical research. Applications that process user-provided or third-party HDF5 files become immediately susceptible to crashes or potential code execution compromises. The vulnerability can be exploited by any application that utilizes the affected version of the HDF5 library without proper input validation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted data is processed automatically. Security researchers have identified this as a high-risk vulnerability due to its potential for remote code execution when combined with other exploitation techniques, and its ability to cause complete system instability in data processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the HDF5 library to versions that include proper input validation and null pointer checks. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures before processing any HDF5 files, particularly those originating from untrusted sources or automated ingestion systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it represents a classic exploitation vector that can lead to arbitrary code execution through crafted data files. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxed processing environments where HDF5 file analysis occurs in isolated containers or virtual machines to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits of applications using HDF5 libraries and implementation of automated vulnerability scanning tools can help identify systems that may be running vulnerable versions of the library.