A heap-use-after-free vulnerability exists in H5T__conv_f_f() in src/H5Tconv.c in HDF5 before 1.14.2. When converting a compound datatype containing floating-point members during a dataset read, a temporary buffer allocated with calloc() is freed and subsequently read from within the same conversion routine. An attacker who can supply a crafted HDF5 file containing a specially constructed compound datatype can trigger the use-after-free when the file is parsed by an application that reads the affected dataset, such as h5dump.
This can result in a crash and, depending on heap layout and allocator behavior, may be exploitable for further memory corruption up to remote code execution.
Attack Parameters
Attack Vector
Local
Requires local access
Attack Complexity
Low
Easy to exploit
Attack Requirements
None
No additional conditions
Privileges Required
None
No privileges needed
User Interaction
Active
User action required
Impact Assessment
Confidentiality
Low
Partial data leak
Integrity
None
No data modification
Availability
Low
Partial disruption
CVSS Vector v4.0
Weakness Type (CWE)
Vulnerable Products
the hdf group:hdf5