CVE-2024-32613

What it actually does

Heap-based buffer over-read in H5HL__fl_deserialize during deserialization of local heap data allows reading past allocated buffer boundaries, enabling memory disclosure or process crash.

Why it matters to the business

Organizations processing untrusted HDF5 files risk application instability, potential sensitive data exposure from memory, and operational disruption in scientific computing or data analytics workflows; the high number of downstream dependents increases exposure across research and engineering environments.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker crafts a malicious HDF5 file that triggers the vulnerable deserialization path when opened by the library; the over-read occurs without authentication or user interaction beyond file loading, potentially leaking memory contents that aid further attacks.

How to fix it

Upgrade hdfgroup/hdf5 to commit 88429b015e29c59de604b0f552001fb7cb7ed5d0 or later; rebuild all dependent applications against the patched library; validate removal of the vulnerable code path in H5HLcache.c.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm the installed library reports a version containing commit 88429b015e29c59de604b0f552001fb7cb7ed5d0; test with known triggering HDF5 files to ensure no over-read occurs; review build logs for successful linkage against the fixed source.

Typical attack path

1. Attacker prepares specially malformed HDF5 file containing crafted local heap structures
2. Victim application or tool loads the file using the vulnerable HDF5 library version
3. H5HL__fl_deserialize is invoked during cache processing, performing the buffer over-read
4. Attacker observes crash or extracts leaked memory to gather information for follow-on exploitation

How to detect it

Monitor application logs and crash dumps for segmentation faults or memory errors originating from H5HLcache.c during HDF5 file processing; review process execution history for unexpected HDF5 file loads from untrusted sources.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize patching all HDF5 installations within 30 days given the memory corruption class and broad ecosystem use
• Inventory and update any software distributions or containers embedding hdfgroup/hdf5
• Implement file-type sandboxing or content validation for untrusted HDF5 inputs until patches are applied