CVE-2021-37654: Heap OOB and CHECK fail in `ResourceGather` in TensorFlow

Published Aug 12, 2021
·
Updated

Impact An attacker can trigger a crash via a CHECK-fail in debug builds of TensorFlow using tf.rawops.ResourceGather or a read from outside the bounds of heap allocated data in the same API in a release build:

python import tensorflow as tf

tensor = tf.constant(value=[[1,2],[3,4],[5,6]],shape=(3,2),dtype=tf.uint32) v = tf.Variable(tensor) tf.rawops.ResourceGather( resource=v.handle, indices=[0], dtype=tf.uint32, batchdims=10, validateindices=False)

The implementation does not check that the batchdims value that the user supplies is less than the rank of the input tensor.

Since the implementation uses several for loops over the dimensions of tensor, this results in reading data from outside the bounds of heap allocated buffer backing the tensor:

cc // batchdims = > params.dims() (10 > 2) for (int i = 0; i < batchdims; ++i) { resultshape.AddDim(params.dimsize(i)); } for (int i = batchdims; i < indices.dims(); ++i) { resultshape.AddDim(indices.dimsize(i)); } for (int i = batchdims + 1; i < params.dims(); ++i) { resultshape.AddDim(params.dimsize(i)); }

In debug mode, .dimsize(i) validates that the argument is less than .dims() using a DCHECK. But the DCHECK is a no-op in release builds.

Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d.

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.

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 members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.

Other sources

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. In affected versions an attacker can trigger a crash via a CHECK-fail in debug builds of TensorFlow using tf.rawops.ResourceGather or a read from outside the bounds of heap allocated data in the same API in a release build. The implementation does not check that the batchdims value that the user supplies is less than the rank of the input tensor. Since the implementation uses several for loops over the dimensions of tensor, this results in reading data from outside the bounds of heap allocated buffer backing the tensor. We have patched the issue in GitHub commit bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d. 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 Software

15 affected componentsFixes available
pip/tensorflow-gpu=2.5.0
2.5.1
pip/tensorflow-gpu>=2.4.0<2.4.3
2.4.3
pip/tensorflow-gpu<2.3.4
2.3.4
pip/tensorflow-cpu=2.5.0
2.5.1
pip/tensorflow-cpu>=2.4.0<2.4.3
2.4.3
pip/tensorflow-cpu<2.3.4
2.3.4
pip/tensorflow=2.5.0
2.5.1
pip/tensorflow>=2.4.0<2.4.3
2.4.3
pip/tensorflow<2.3.4
2.3.4
Google TensorFlow>=2.3.0<2.3.4
Google TensorFlow>=2.4.0<2.4.3
Google TensorFlow=2.5.0
Google TensorFlow=2.6.0-rc0
Google TensorFlow=2.6.0-rc1
Google TensorFlow=2.6.0-rc2

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow-gpu to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.5.1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow-gpu to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.3
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow-gpu to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.3.4
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow-cpu to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.5.1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow-cpu to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.3
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow-cpu to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.3.4
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.5.1
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.3
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.3.4
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.6.0Patch bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.5.1Patch bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.4.3Patch bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade tensorflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.3.4Patch bc9c546ce7015c57c2f15c168b3d9201de679a1d

Event History

Aug 12, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·08:30 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·08:30 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·09:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 25, 2021
Advisory Published
via GitHub·02:43 PM

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2021-37654?

CVE-2021-37654 is classified as a high severity vulnerability due to its potential to cause crashes and read from outside allocated memory.

2

How do I fix CVE-2021-37654?

To fix CVE-2021-37654, upgrade to TensorFlow versions 2.3.4, 2.4.3, or 2.5.1, depending on your current version.

3

What software is affected by CVE-2021-37654?

CVE-2021-37654 affects TensorFlow versions between 2.3.0 and 2.4.3 as well as specific release candidates like 2.6.0-rc0, rc1, and rc2.

4

What are the potential consequences of CVE-2021-37654?

Exploiting CVE-2021-37654 can lead to application crashes and might allow attackers to read sensitive data from memory.

5

Is CVE-2021-37654 a remote exploit?

CVE-2021-37654 can potentially be exploited remotely if the vulnerable TensorFlow API is exposed in a web application.

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