Description
The HDF5 1.8.16 library allocating space for the array using a value from the file has an impact within the loop for initializing said array allowing a value within the file to modify the loop's terminator. Due to this, an aggressor can cause the loop's index to point outside the bounds of the array when initializing it.
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-2016-0179/
- 94416 vdb-entry
- GLSA-201701-13 vendor-advisory
- DSA-3727 vendor-advisory