CVE-2020-10811 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in HDF5 through 1.12.0, leading to a heap-based buffer over-read vulnerability in the H5O__layout_decode() function in H5Olayout.c, potentially resulting in Denial of Service.

Understanding CVE-2020-10811

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in the HDF5 library.

What is CVE-2020-10811?

The vulnerability in HDF5 through version 1.12.0 allows an attacker to trigger a heap-based buffer over-read by exploiting the H5O__layout_decode() function, which could lead to a Denial of Service attack.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10811

The vulnerability poses a risk of Denial of Service, potentially affecting the availability and stability of systems using the vulnerable HDF5 library.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10811

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in a heap-based buffer over-read in the H5O__layout_decode() function within H5Olayout.c in HDF5 versions up to 1.12.0.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: All versions up to 1.12.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to trigger a heap-based buffer over-read, potentially leading to a Denial of Service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protective measures and actions to mitigate the impact of CVE-2020-10811.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest version of HDF5 to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor security advisories for patches and updates related to this CVE.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network security measures to detect and block malicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by HDF5 promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.