CVE-2019-9151 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A problem has been identified in version 1.10.4 of the HDF HDF5 library, leading to an out-of-bounds read vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2019-9151

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the HDF HDF5 library version 1.10.4 that allows an out-of-bounds read when specific functions are invoked.

What is CVE-2019-9151?

The issue lies in the function H5VM_memcpyvv in H5VM.c, triggered when called from H5D__compact_readvv in H5Dcompact.c.

The Impact of CVE-2019-9151

The vulnerability could potentially be exploited by attackers to read sensitive information or cause a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-9151

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the HDF HDF5 library version 1.10.4 allows for an out-of-bounds read in the H5VM_memcpyvv function.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 1.10.4 of the HDF HDF5 library

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is triggered when the function H5VM_memcpyvv is called from H5D__compact_readvv.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-9151 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the HDF HDF5 library if available
Monitor for any unusual activities on the system

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions
Implement access controls and restrictions to limit potential attack surfaces

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by the HDF HDF5 library maintainers to address the vulnerability