Overview
In this post, we will be exploring a critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-44904, identified in hdf5 version 1.14.6. This is a widespread software library used in the manipulation of complex scientific data, which is used across numerous industries, including but not limited to healthcare, finance, and aerospace. This vulnerability matters because it can potentially compromise an entire system or lead to data leakage, which can have severe repercussions, especially when dealing with sensitive data.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-44904
Severity: Critical (CVSS: 8.8)
Attack Vector: Local network
Privileges Required: User level
User Interaction: Required
Impact: Potential system compromise and data leakage
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Product | Affected Versions
hdf5 | v1.14.6
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability lies in the H5VM_memcpyvv function of hdf5. This function is meant to copy data between two vectors. However, due to the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This can lead to the execution of arbitrary code within the context of the application, resulting in potential system compromise or data leakage.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. This is not actual exploit code, but a simplified version to illustrate the concept.
# pseudo exploit code for CVE-2025-44904
import h5py
# Create a malicious payload that leads to buffer overflow
malicious_payload = "A" * 1024 * 1024 * 1024
# Open a target hdf5 file
file = h5py.File("target.h5", "w")
# Use H5VM_memcpyvv function to trigger the overflow
file["vulnerable_dataset"] = file.id.memcpy(malicious_payload)
# Close the file
file.close()In this example, a malicious payload of a size larger than what the H5VM_memcpyvv function expects is created. The payload is then written into the vulnerable dataset of a target hdf5 file, triggering a buffer overflow.
Mitigation Guidance
The best course of action to mitigate this vulnerability is to apply the patch provided by the vendor. If the patch cannot be applied immediately, using a web application firewall (WAF) or intrusion detection systems (IDS) can serve as a temporary mitigation measure by detecting and blocking known exploitation attempts.
However, these are only temporary solutions, and applying the official patch should be prioritized to ensure the security of your systems. Additionally, it’s also recommended to follow best practices in cybersecurity, such as limiting the privileges of applications and regularly reviewing and updating security protocols.
Conclusion
CVE-2025-44904 is a critical vulnerability that poses a significant threat to any system utilizing hdf5 version 1.14.6. It’s crucial for any organization affected to take swift action to mitigate the risk and protect their systems and data. As we’ve seen, even seemingly minor vulnerabilities can have extensive consequences if left unchecked. Always stay vigilant and proactive in maintaining your cybersecurity posture.