Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2018-11203 is a denial-of-service issue in HDF5 1.10.2. A malformed HDF5 input can trigger a division by zero while the library decodes dataset B-tree keys, potentially crashing software that processes the file. The source bundle does not identify data theft, code execution, or confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a service-availability risk, not a confirmed breach risk. Prioritize remediation where HDF5 files are accepted from outside the organization or used in critical automated processing.
Technical view
The flaw is in H5D__btree_decode_key in H5Dbtree.c within HDF5 1.10.2. The CVE describes a division-by-zero condition that could enable remote denial of service. No CVSS vector, CWE, CPE list, or vendor fix information is included in the provided sources.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in applications, pipelines, or services that use HDF5 1.10.2 and parse HDF5 files from untrusted or remote sources. The bundle does not identify specific downstream products or deployment patterns.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle. A public fuzzing proof-of-concept repository is referenced, but the sources do not state active exploitation, exploit maturity, or real-world targeting.
Researcher notes
The public record is sparse: HDF5 1.10.2, function and source file are named, and denial of service is the stated impact. No patch, commit, CVSS, CWE, or affected CPE data is provided in the bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory systems and dependencies using HDF5 1.10.2.
- Check HDF Group or vendor guidance for fixed versions or backports.
- Avoid processing untrusted HDF5 files where operationally possible.
- Sandbox HDF5 parsing workflows and enforce resource limits.
- Prioritize updates for internet-facing or automated file-ingestion services.
Validation and detection
- Confirm the deployed HDF5 library version in affected applications.
- Identify workflows that accept HDF5 files from external users or partners.
- Review crash telemetry for HDF5 parsing failures or division-by-zero faults.
- Verify vendor advisories before declaring a system remediated.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2018-11203 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/Twi1ight/fuzzing-pocs/tree/master/hdf5CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.