CVE-2021-37644: `std :abort` Raised From `TensorListReserve` Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-27j5-4p9v-pp67
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CVSS 5.5
CWE-617
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-37644 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.5) :abort` raised from `tensorlistreserve` vulnerability (CWE-617: Reachable Assertion) affecting `std libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves :abort` raised from `tensorlistreserve`. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.5.1, 2.3.4, 2.4.3.

CVE-2021-37644 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-37644
GHSA Identifier GHSA-27j5-4p9v-pp67
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.5
CWE Classification CWE-617: Reachable Assertion
Affected Product `std
Package Ecosystem PyPI
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2021-37644

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected `std dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.5.1 
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.5.1
tensorflow fixed: 2.3.4 
pip install tensorflow>=2.3.4
tensorflow fixed: 2.4.3 
pip install tensorflow>=2.4.3
tensorflow fixed: 2.5.1 
pip install tensorflow>=2.5.1
tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.3.4 
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.3.4
tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.4.3 
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.4.3
tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.5.1 
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.5.1
tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.3.4 
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.3.4
tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.4.3 
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.4.3
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

pip show tensorflow-gpu

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Python environment is affected by CVE-2021-37644, inspect your installed packages using pip:

pip show tensorflow-gpu

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of `std in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.5.1), your application is affected.

Note: The pip show tensorflow-gpu command checks currently installed packages in your active Python environment.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-617: Reachable Assertion, where the product contains an assert() or similar statement that can be triggered by an attacker, which leads to an application exit or other behavior that is more severe than necessary. In `std, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

### Impact Providing a negative element to `num_elements` list argument of `tf.raw_ops.TensorListReserve` causes the runtime to abort the process due to reallocating a `std::vector` to have a negative number of elements: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.TensorListReserve( element_shape = tf.constant([1]), num_elements=tf.constant([-1]), element_dtype = tf.int32) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/kernels/list_kernels.cc#L312) calls `std::vector.resize()` with the new size controlled by input given by the user, without checking that this input is valid. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [8a6e874437670045e6c7dc6154c7412b4a2135e2](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/8a6e874437670045e6c7dc6154c7412b4a2135e2). 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](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/master/SECURITY.md) 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.

CVE-2021-37644 Affected `std Versions

9 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.5.12.3.42.4.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
tensorflow-gpu
pypi/tensorflow-gpu
PyPI
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.1
All 1 versions
2.5.0
2.5.1
tensorflow
pypi/tensorflow
PyPI
< 2.3.4
2.3.4
tensorflow
pypi/tensorflow
PyPI
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.4.3
2.4.3
tensorflow
pypi/tensorflow
PyPI
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.1
All 1 versions
2.5.0
2.5.1
tensorflow-cpu
pypi/tensorflow-cpu
PyPI
< 2.3.4
2.3.4
tensorflow-cpu
pypi/tensorflow-cpu
PyPI
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.4.3
2.4.3
tensorflow-cpu
pypi/tensorflow-cpu
PyPI
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.1
All 1 versions
2.5.0
2.5.1
tensorflow-gpu
pypi/tensorflow-gpu
PyPI
< 2.3.4
2.3.4
tensorflow-gpu
pypi/tensorflow-gpu
PyPI
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.4.3
2.4.3

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-27j5-4p9v-pp67
NVD — CVE-2021-37644 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37644
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/8a6e874437670045e6c7dc6154c7412b4a2135e2
`std Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-557.yaml
`std Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-755.yaml
`std Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-266.yaml
`std Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-37644?
CVE-2021-37644 is a security vulnerability in `std involving :abort` raised from `TensorListReserve` under CWE-617: Reachable Assertion.
Which `std versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.5.1, 2.3.4, 2.4.3 across affected packages: tensorflow-gpu, tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu.
What version fixes CVE-2021-37644?
Upgrading to 2.5.1, 2.3.4, 2.4.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tensorflow-gpu affected?
Yes, tensorflow-gpu is affected in releases prior to 2.5.1, 2.3.4, 2.4.3. Upgrade your dependency to 2.5.1, 2.3.4, 2.4.3 or later.
Is tensorflow affected?
Yes, tensorflow is affected in releases prior to 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1. Upgrade your dependency to 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-37644?
CVE-2021-37644 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-37644?
CVE-2021-37644 is classified under CWE-617: Reachable Assertion (The product contains an assert() or similar statement that can be triggered by an attacker, which leads to an application exit or other behavior that is more severe than necessary.).
How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2021-37644?
Run the dependency tree command: 'pip show tensorflow-gpu'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
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  "id" : "GHSA-27j5-4p9v-pp67",
  "modified" : "2024-11-13T16:13:05Z",
  "published" : "2021-08-25T14:43:40Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-37644" ],
  "summary" : "`std::abort` raised from `TensorListReserve`",
  "details" : "### Impact\nProviding a negative element to `num_elements` list argument of  `tf.raw_ops.TensorListReserve` causes the runtime to abort the process due to reallocating a `std::vector` to have a negative number of elements:\n\n```python\nimport tensorflow as tf\n\ntf.raw_ops.TensorListReserve(\n  element_shape = tf.constant([1]),\n  num_elements=tf.constant([-1]),\n  element_dtype = tf.int32)\n```\n\nThe [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/kernels/list_kernels.cc#L312) calls `std::vector.resize()` with the new size controlled by input given by the user, without checking that this input is valid.\n\n### Patches\nWe have patched the issue in GitHub commit [8a6e874437670045e6c7dc6154c7412b4a2135e2](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/8a6e874437670045e6c7dc6154c7412b4a2135e2).\n\nThe 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.\n\n### For more information \nPlease consult [our security guide](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/master/SECURITY.md) for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.\n\n### Attribution\nThis vulnerability has been reported by members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
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  } ],
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  "references" : [ {
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  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
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  }, {
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}