CVE-2024-32616: Vulnerability Found in HDF5 Library (Heap-Based Buffer Over-Read) - Exploit Details and Mitigation Measures

A critical vulnerability has been identified in the HDF5 Library, specifically within the versions up to and including 1.14.3. This vulnerability, with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures ID CVE-2024-32616, could potentially allow an attacker to cause a heap-based buffer over-read in the affected system. In this article, we will take a deeper look into the vulnerability, provide details on the exploit, and discuss how to mitigate the risk associated with it.

Details of the Vulnerability

The vulnerability is present in the H5O__dtype_encode_helper function found in the source file H5Odtype.c. A heap-based buffer over-read could occur if a specially crafted HDF5 file is processed, which could compromise the integrity of the data stored in the file and potentially lead to arbitrary code execution on the affected system.

Technically speaking, the issue arises from improper handling of data type encoding. Specifically, the H5O__dtype_encode_helper reads data from an input buffer and writes it to an output buffer. This vulnerability occurs when the function reads and interprets more data from the input buffer than intended, leading to an over-read of the buffer, resulting in memory corruption or leaking sensitive information.

A snippet of the vulnerable code in H5Odtype.c

static herr_t
H5O__dtype_encode_helper(const H5T_t *dt, uint8_t **pp, hbool_t compact)
{
    ...
    size_t prec_size = ; /* Precision size in bytes */
    size_t data_size = ; /* Actual data size (including offset and precision size) */
    ...
    for (u = ; u < dt->shared->u.atomic.u2.nmembs; u++) {
        data_size = dt->shared->u.atomic.p[u].offset + dt->shared->u.atomic.p[u].size;
        if (data_size > tmp_size)
            tmp_size = data_size;
        if (dt->shared->u.atomic.p[u].size > prec_size)
            prec_size = dt->shared->u.atomic.p[u].size;
    } /* end for */
    ...
    while (tmp_size)
    tmp_size >>= 1;

    data_size = prec_size + (tmp_size ^ (tmp_size >> 1));
    ...
}

Exploit Details

At the moment, a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit code for this vulnerability is not yet publicly available. However, it would involve the creation of a specially crafted HDF5 file, which could trigger the heap-based buffer over-read when processed with an affected version of the HDF5 Library.

Several details are essential to exploit this vulnerability

1. Specific values must be crafted and injected into the buffer to trigger the heap-based buffer over-read.
2. An attacker must have sufficient knowledge of the underlying system to understand and exploit the issue.

As this vulnerability requires a high level of technical skill to exploit, it is considered less likely to be exploited in the wild. However, it is essential to address it to ensure the security and safety of your data and systems.

Mitigation

The HDF Group has remedied this vulnerability by releasing a new version (1.14.4) of the HDF5 Library, which includes fixes for the issue. It is highly advised that users of the affected versions upgrade to the latest release as soon as possible.

You can download the latest version of the HDF5 Library from the official website

https://www.hdfgroup.org/downloads/hdf5/

For users who cannot upgrade immediately, it is recommended to exercise caution when dealing with HDF5 files from untrusted sources and implement strict access controls to limit the potential attack surface.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the details of the CVE-2024-32616 vulnerability, found in the HDF5 Library versions up to and including 1.14.3. By understanding the exploit mechanics and implementing proper mitigation measures, you can protect your systems and data from potential threats associated with these vulnerabilities.

Timeline

Published on: 05/14/2024 15:36:46 UTC
Last modified on: 07/03/2024 01:56:48 UTC