NULL pointer dereference in Google Tensorflow
CVE-2021-37648
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.
EPSS: 0.002 (8.6th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
Affected products
- Google Tensorflow — versions 2.5.0, 2.6.0
- Tensorflow — versions >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, < 2.3.4
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- security-advisories@github.com (x_refsource_CONFIRM, Third Party Advisory)
- security-advisories@github.com (Patch, Third Party Advisory, x_refsource_MISC)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-37648?
- CVE-2021-37648 is a high-severity vulnerability in Google Tensorflow, classified under NULL Pointer Dereference. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2021-08-12.
- How severe is CVE-2021-37648?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.