Vulnerability · Published Aug 12, 2021 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2021-37648Incorrect validation of `SaveV2` inputs in TensorFlow

High 7.8

In plain English

A high-severity null pointer dereference in tensorflow from tensorflow. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 8% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.8High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.2%top 91.7% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsnot in CISA KEV
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. In affected versions the code for `tf.raw_ops.SaveV2` does not properly validate the inputs and an attacker can trigger a null pointer dereference. The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/kernels/save_restore_v2_ops.cc) uses `ValidateInputs` to check that the input arguments are valid. This validation would have caught the illegal state represented by the reproducer above. However, the validation uses `OP_REQUIRES` which translates to setting the `Status` object of the current `OpKernelContext` to an error status, followed by an empty `return` statement which just terminates the execution of the function it is present in. However, this does not mean that the kernel execution is finalized: instead, execution continues from the next line in `Compute` that follows the call to `ValidateInputs`. This is equivalent to lacking the validation. We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.6.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, and TensorFlow 2.3.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
PyPItensorflow2.3.4, 2.4.3PYSEC-2021-270
PyPItensorflow2.3.4GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow2.4.3GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow2.5.1GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow-cpu2.4.3GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow-cpu2.3.4, 2.4.3PYSEC-2021-561
PyPItensorflow-cpu2.3.4GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow-cpu2.5.1GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow-gpu2.3.4, 2.4.3PYSEC-2021-759
PyPItensorflow-gpu2.3.4GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow-gpu2.4.3GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8
PyPItensorflow-gpu2.5.1GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
tensorflow tensorflow >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3< 2.3.4

Weakness: CWE-476 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References