Heap buffer over-read in HDF5 object header parsing
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · Low
- Fix status
- Partial Red Hat: 1 fixed, 2 without a fix
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA and Red Hat.
Summary
HDF5 before 2.3.0 contains a heap buffer over-read in H5O__chunk_deserialize() (CWE-125). The message size check runs before the message flags and creation index are decoded, so a message can extend past the end of the chunk image. An attacker who can get a user or application to open a crafted HDF5 file can cause a denial of service or limited disclosure of process memory. The references include an exploit link.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
Description from the CNA
HDF5 through 2.2.0 contains a heap buffer over-read vulnerability in H5O__chunk_deserialize() in src/H5Ocache.c. When decoding object header messages, the declared message size is checked against the end of the chunk image before the remainder of the message header (flags, and for version 2 object headers, the optional creation index) has been decoded. Because the message body begins after these fields, a message can start up to four bytes further into the chunk than the size check accounts for. A crafted HDF5 file can declare a message size that passes the check but extends past the end of the chunk image, causing the message’s decode callback, for example H5O__mtime_new_decode() in src/H5Omtime.c, to read beyond the heap allocation. The flaw is reachable during H5Fopen() on a crafted file. An attacker who can get a user or application to open a malicious file can cause a denial of service or limited disclosure of process memory.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The HDF Group | HDF5 | before 2.3.0 | 2.3.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- HDF5 VendorThe HDF Group Affected before 2.3.0 Fixed in 2.3.0 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:hdfgroup:hdf5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | up to 2.2.0 | Vulnerable | The HDF Group |
- cpe:2.3:a:hdfgroup:hdf5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions up to 2.2.0 Vulnerable ·The HDF Group
Remediation
Upgrade HDF5 to version 2.3.0. Red Hat Hardened Images is fixed by RHSA-2026:94898. Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3 and Red Hat OpenStack Platform 13 (Queens) are affected, and Red Hat lists their plan as none available.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
- Fix · CNA HDF5 (The HDF Group) Fixed in 2.3.0
Red Hat 1 advisory
- RHSA-2026:94898 Released 2026-11-04 · Red Hat rating ModerateRed Hat Hardened Images RPMs Security Update
- Red Hat Hardened Images hdf5-2.2.0-0.1.5.hum1@aarch64, hdf5-2.2.0-0.1.5.hum1@s390x, hdf5-2.2.0-0.1.5.hum1@src +28
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Moderate. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
| Product | Status | Plan or fix |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) 3 | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat OpenStack Platform 13 (Queens) | Affected | No fix yet: Fix deferred |
| Red Hat Hardened Images | Fixed | RHSA-2026:94898 |
Timeline
- 2026-11-03 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-120756
- 2026-11-03 Alias added: GHSA-m9xj-6f2h-rx5r
- 2026-11-03 CVSS score added · NVD
- 2026-11-04 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
- 2026-11-04 CVSS score added · Red Hat
- 2026-11-04 Fix available: RHSA-2026:94898 · Red Hat
- 2026-11-04 Fix available: Red Hat Hardened Images · Red Hat
References
More The HDF Group Hdf5 vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-28698 hdf5 v1.14.6 was discovered to contain a heap buffer overflow via the H5Z__filter_scaleoffset function. CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2025-28697 hdf5 v1.14.6 was discovered to contain a heap buffer overflow via the H5VM_memcpyvv function. CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2020-13412 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in function H5S_close in H5S.c in HDF5 1.10.4 allows remote… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2021-15413 Buffer Overflow vulnerability in HDFGroup hdf5-h5dump 1.12.0 through 1.13.0 allows… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2026-26978 HDF5: H5T__conv_struct Use After Free CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2022-09532 Heap-based buffer overflow in HDF Group libhdf5 CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-120756 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-120756 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-m9xj-6f2h-rx5r · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2026-120756 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences