Description
In the HDF5 1.8.16 library's failure to check if the number of dimensions for an array read from the file is within the bounds of the space allocated for it, a heap-based buffer overflow will occur, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | hdf5 | 1.10.0-patch1+docs-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | hdf5 | 1.10.0-patch1+docs-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | hdf5 | 1.10.0-patch1+docs-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | hdf5 | 1.8.13+docs-15+deb8u1 | DSA-3727-1 |
| Debian 7 | hdf5 | 1.8.8-9+deb7u1 | DLA-771-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | hdf5 | 1.8.16+docs-4ubuntu1.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | hdf5 | 1.8.11-5ubuntu7.1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Package Hub 12 | hdf5 | 1.8.17-5.1 | openSUSE-SU-2018:1056-1, openSUSE-SU-2018:1051-1 |
Advisories 4
- DLA-771-1 hdf5 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3727-1 hdf5 - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2018:1056-1 Security update for hdf5 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2018:1051-1 Security update for hdf5 SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- http://www.talosintelligence.com/reports/TALOS-2016-0176/
- 94414 vdb-entry
- GLSA-201701-13 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3727 vendor-advisory