CVE-2018-17437 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2018-17437, a vulnerability in the HDF HDF5 library versions up to 1.10.3 that could lead to denial of service attacks through excessive memory consumption. Find out how to mitigate this issue.
A vulnerability in the H5O_dtype_decode_helper() function in the HDF HDF5 library versions up to 1.10.3 could allow attackers to trigger a denial of service incident by manipulating specially crafted HDF5 files.
Understanding CVE-2018-17437
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the HDF HDF5 library that could lead to a denial of service attack through excessive memory consumption.
What is CVE-2018-17437?
The vulnerability lies in the H5O_dtype_decode_helper() function within the HDF HDF5 library versions up to 1.10.3, allowing attackers to exploit it by manipulating specific HDF5 files.
The Impact of CVE-2018-17437
Exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service incident due to excessive memory consumption, potentially disrupting system operations.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-17437
This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in the H5O_dtype_decode_helper() function in the HDF HDF5 library versions up to 1.10.3 allows attackers to trigger a denial of service incident by manipulating specially crafted HDF5 files.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Vendor: n/a
- Product: n/a
- Versions: All versions up to 1.10.3 are affected.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating specially crafted HDF5 files to trigger a denial of service incident through excessive memory consumption.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2018-17437 is crucial to prevent potential denial of service attacks.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update the HDF HDF5 library to version 1.10.3 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Avoid opening untrusted HDF5 files from unknown or unverified sources.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions to patch known vulnerabilities.
- Implement file validation mechanisms to detect and prevent the use of malicious HDF5 files.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely patching and updates of the HDF HDF5 library to address security vulnerabilities and protect systems from potential exploits.