CVE-2026-120689
HDF5 through 2.2.0 contains an uncontrolled recursion vulnerability in H5B__iterate_helper() in src/H5B.c. When iterating a version 1 B-tree, the function does not verify that a child node’s level matches the expected level. That check is performed only in H5B__cache_deserialize() when a node is first loaded into the metadata cache. A crafted HDF5 file whose B-tree child pointer refers back to a node already in the cache, such as a node that points to itself, bypasses the check and causes unbounded recursion, leading to stack exhaustion and a crash. This can be triggered by calling H5Gget_info() or H5Gget_num_objs() on a group in the crafted file, which reaches H5B_iterate() through H5G__obj_info() and H5G__stab_count(). An attacker who can get a user or application to open a malicious file can cause a denial of service.
Executive briefing
This record describes a reported software or hardware weakness. The description and CVSS rating are source metadata; practical risk depends on whether your environment uses an affected product/version and whether the vulnerable component is reachable and configured in an exploitable way.
Severity & exploitability
CVSS vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Impacted products and platforms
Specific affected product configurations are not currently available in the NVD record. Review vendor advisories and validate applicability against your asset inventory.
How it works and what it could affect
The NVD description is the authoritative short summary currently available for this record. A detailed technical mechanism is not inferred when the source record does not provide one.
Weakness classification: CWE-674
Review the CVSS attack characteristics above to understand whether exploitation is network/local, whether privileges or user interaction are required, and which confidentiality, integrity or availability impacts are scored.
Remediation and recommended response
- Identify exposure: compare the affected product and version ranges below with your asset inventory, software bill of materials, endpoint inventory and externally exposed services.
- Remediate: review the linked vendor security advisory or patch notes, upgrade to a fixed release, or apply the vendor-provided workaround if an upgrade cannot be completed.
- Mitigate while patching: restrict network access to the vulnerable service, disable the affected feature where operationally safe, and monitor vendor/CERT advisories for updated guidance.
- Validate: confirm the fixed version or mitigation on representative systems, run a vulnerability rescan, and retain change evidence.
Vendor remediation / security advisories
Exploit intelligence & references
No CISA KEV match is recorded in the latest successful catalog refresh. This is not a guarantee that public proof-of-concept code or exploitation does not exist.
Sources: NVD and CISA KEV when available. Vendor confirmation remains the final authority for fixed versions and workarounds.