CVE-2025-2914 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified in the HDF5 library versions 1.14.0 through 1.14.6. The flaw exists in the function H5FS__sinfo_Srialize_Sct_cb within the source file src/H5FScache.c. Specifically, improper handling and manipulation of the 'sect' argument leads to a heap overflow condition. This vulnerability requires local access with low privileges (local access with low privileges, no user interaction needed) to exploit, meaning an attacker must already have some level of access to the system to trigger the overflow. The vulnerability does not require elevated privileges or user interaction, but it does require local access, limiting remote exploitation. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 4.8, categorized as medium severity, reflecting the moderate impact and exploit complexity. The vulnerability can potentially lead to memory corruption, which might be leveraged to cause application crashes or, in some cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the context and environment. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, but no known exploits in the wild have been reported at this time. HDF5 is a widely used data model, library, and file format for storing and managing large amounts of data, commonly used in scientific computing, engineering, and research environments. The affected function relates to file system cache serialization, which is critical for data integrity and performance. Exploitation could compromise the integrity and availability of applications relying on HDF5 for data storage and processing.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-2914 depends on their use of the HDF5 library, which is prevalent in scientific research institutions, engineering firms, and industries handling large-scale data such as aerospace, automotive, and pharmaceuticals. A successful exploit could lead to application crashes or data corruption, affecting the availability and integrity of critical data processing workflows. While the vulnerability requires local access, insider threats or compromised user accounts could leverage this flaw to escalate impact. Disruption in scientific computing environments could delay research and development projects, potentially causing financial and reputational damage. Additionally, organizations relying on HDF5 in embedded systems or industrial control systems might face operational disruptions. The medium severity rating suggests a moderate risk, but the specific impact could be higher in environments where HDF5 is integral to critical operations or where patching is delayed.

1. Immediate application of patches or updates from the HDF5 maintainers once available is the primary mitigation step. Since no patch links are currently provided, organizations should monitor official HDF5 repositories and security advisories for updates. 2. Restrict local access to systems running vulnerable HDF5 versions by enforcing strict access controls and monitoring user activities to prevent unauthorized local exploitation. 3. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect anomalous behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. 4. Conduct regular audits of software dependencies to identify and remediate vulnerable HDF5 versions in use. 5. For environments where patching is delayed, consider isolating systems using HDF5 or running them with minimal privileges to reduce exploitation risk. 6. Implement robust logging and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts or crashes related to HDF5 processes. 7. Educate users with local access about the risks and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the attack surface.