CVE-2021-37501 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Buffer Overflow vulnerability in HDFGroup hdf5-h5dump 1.12.0 through 1.13.0 has been identified, allowing attackers to initiate a denial of service attack via h5tools_str_sprint in /hdf5/tools/lib/h5tools_str.c.

Understanding CVE-2021-37501

This section delves into the details regarding CVE-2021-37501.

What is CVE-2021-37501?

CVE-2021-37501 is a Buffer Overflow vulnerability in HDFGroup hdf5-h5dump 1.12.0 through 1.13.0 that enables attackers to trigger a denial of service using h5tools_str_sprint in /hdf5/tools/lib/h5tools_str.c.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37501

The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to cause a denial of service, potentially leading to system unavailability or crashes.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37501

This section covers the technical aspects of CVE-2021-37501.

Vulnerability Description

The Buffer Overflow vulnerability in HDFGroup hdf5-h5dump version 1.12.0 through 1.13.0 can be exploited via h5tools_str_sprint, potentially resulting in a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

All versions of HDFGroup hdf5-h5dump from 1.12.0 to 1.13.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger the denial of service by manipulating the h5tools_str_sprint function in /hdf5/tools/lib/h5tools_str.c.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss how to mitigate and prevent CVE-2021-37501.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update to a patched version or apply security fixes provided by the vendor to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments can help in identifying and addressing similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial to regularly check for updates and patches released by HDFGroup to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-37501.