CVE-2021-29609: Incomplete validation in `SparseAdd`

Published May 14, 2021
·
Updated

Impact Incomplete validation in SparseAdd results in allowing attackers to exploit undefined behavior (dereferencing null pointers) as well as write outside of bounds of heap allocated data:

python import tensorflow as tf

aindices = tf.zeros([10, 97], dtype=tf.int64) avalues = tf.zeros([10], dtype=tf.int64) ashape = tf.zeros([0], dtype=tf.int64)

bindices = tf.zeros([0, 0], dtype=tf.int64) bvalues = tf.zeros([0], dtype=tf.int64) bshape = tf.zeros([0], dtype=tf.int64) thresh = 0

tf.rawops.SparseAdd(aindices=aindices, avalues=avalues, ashape=ashape, bindices=bindices, bvalues=bvalues, bshape=bshape, thresh=thresh)

The implementation has a large set of validation for the two sparse tensor inputs (6 tensors in total), but does not validate that the tensors are not empty or that the second dimension of indices matches the size of corresponding shape. This allows attackers to send tensor triples that represent invalid sparse tensors to abuse code assumptions that are not protected by validation.

Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 6fd02f44810754ae7481838b6a67c5df7f909ca3 followed by GitHub commit 41727ff06111117bdf86b37db198217fd7a143cc.

The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

For more information Please consult our security guide for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.

Attribution This vulnerability has been reported by Yakun Zhang and Ying Wang of Baidu X-Team.

Other sources

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Incomplete validation in SparseAdd results in allowing attackers to exploit undefined behavior (dereferencing null pointers) as well as write outside of bounds of heap allocated data. The implementation(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/656e7673b14acd7835dc778867f84916c6d1cac2/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparseaddop.cc) has a large set of validation for the two sparse tensor inputs (6 tensors in total), but does not validate that the tensors are not empty or that the second dimension of indices matches the size of corresponding shape. This allows attackers to send tensor triples that represent invalid sparse tensors to abuse code assumptions that are not protected by validation. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

Affected Software

16 affected componentsFixes available
pip/tensorflow-gpu>=2.4.0<2.4.2
2.4.2
pip/tensorflow-gpu>=2.3.0<2.3.3
2.3.3
pip/tensorflow-gpu>=2.2.0<2.2.3
2.2.3
pip/tensorflow-gpu<2.1.4
2.1.4
pip/tensorflow-cpu>=2.4.0<2.4.2
2.4.2
pip/tensorflow-cpu>=2.3.0<2.3.3
2.3.3
pip/tensorflow-cpu>=2.2.0<2.2.3
2.2.3
pip/tensorflow-cpu<2.1.4
2.1.4
pip/tensorflow>=2.4.0<2.4.2
2.4.2
pip/tensorflow>=2.3.0<2.3.3
2.3.3
pip/tensorflow>=2.2.0<2.2.3
2.2.3
pip/tensorflow<2.1.4
2.1.4
Google TensorFlow<2.1.4
Google TensorFlow>=2.2.0<2.2.3
Google TensorFlow>=2.3.0<2.3.3
Google TensorFlow>=2.4.0<2.4.2

Event History

May 14, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·07:20 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·07:20 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
May 21, 2021
Advisory Published
via GitHub·02:28 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 is classified with a high severity due to its potential for undefined behavior leading to significant security risks.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-29609?

To fix CVE-2021-29609, upgrade TensorFlow to version 2.4.2 or later.

3

What versions of TensorFlow are affected by CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 affects TensorFlow versions prior to 2.4.2, including 2.1.4, 2.2.0 through 2.2.3, 2.3.0 through 2.3.3.

4

What kind of issues does CVE-2021-29609 cause?

CVE-2021-29609 can lead to dereferencing null pointers and writing outside the bounds of heap allocated data.

5

Is CVE-2021-29609 related to TensorFlow libraries?

Yes, CVE-2021-29609 is specifically related to vulnerabilities found in the TensorFlow libraries.

Contact

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