Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability in HDF5 Package: Potential Code Execution Risk
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2022-25972: An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the gif2h5 functionality of HDF5 Group libhdf5 1.10.4. Affects hdf5 versions < 1.10.10+repack-1. Fixed in 1.10.10+repack-1. How to fix ↓
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Background
HDF5 is a widely-used data model, library, and file format for storing and managing large amounts of data. It is designed to store complex data in a flexible and efficient manner. The HDF5 library is utilized in various applications across scientific computing, engineering, and data analysis. However, a vulnerability has been identified in the gif2h5 functionality of HDF5, specifically in versions prior to 1.10.10+repack-1, which can lead to serious security risks.
Vulnerability Detail
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability exists in the gif2h5 functionality of the HDF5 Group's libhdf5 version 1.10.4. This vulnerability can be triggered by a specially-crafted GIF file, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by providing a malicious GIF file, which may allow them to execute harmful code on the affected system. This poses a significant risk to users and applications relying on HDF5 for data management.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.10.10+repack-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade hdf5Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary measure, avoid processing untrusted or unknown GIF files with the HDF5 library until the package is updated to a secure version. Additionally, consider implementing file validation to check the integrity of GIF files before processing them.
Conclusion
The identified out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the HDF5 package poses a significant risk of code execution through malicious GIF files. Users are strongly advised to update to the latest patched version to mitigate this risk. Implementing temporary workarounds can help protect systems until the update is applied.
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FAQ
The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write issue that can be exploited through specially-crafted GIF files, potentially leading to code execution.
The vulnerability affects HDF5 versions prior to 1.10.10+repack-1.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If an immediate update is not possible, avoid processing untrusted GIF files and implement file validation as a temporary workaround.
For more details, you can refer to the official HDF5 documentation and security advisories, as well as vulnerability databases.
References
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