CVE-2021-29609: Tensorflow Incomplete Validation Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 is a security vulnerability in Tensorflow involving Incomplete validation in `SparseAdd` under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write.

Q: Which Tensorflow versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 across affected packages: tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2021-29609?

Upgrading to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is tensorflow affected?

Yes, tensorflow is affected in releases prior to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later.

Q: Is tensorflow-cpu affected?

Yes, tensorflow-cpu is affected in releases prior to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 is classified under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write (The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.).

Q: How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2021-29609?

Run the dependency tree command: 'pip show tensorflow'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.

MODERATE

Advisory Identifier: GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64

CVSS 5.3

CWE-787 CWE-665

Published 2021-05-21

Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-29609 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.3) incomplete validation vulnerability (CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write) affecting Tensorflow libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves incomplete validation in `sparseadd`. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2.

CVE-2021-29609 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-29609

GHSA Identifier GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64

Severity MODERATE

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.3

CWE Classification CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write

Affected Product Tensorflow

Package Ecosystem PyPI

Published Date 2021-05-21

Last Updated 2024-11-13

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.3

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

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)

Attack Complexity High (AC:H)

Privileges Required Low (PR:L)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality None (C:N)

Integrity Low (I:L)

Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2021-29609

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Tensorflow 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 fixed: 2.1.4

pip install tensorflow>=2.1.4

tensorflow fixed: 2.2.3

pip install tensorflow>=2.2.3

tensorflow fixed: 2.3.3

pip install tensorflow>=2.3.3

tensorflow fixed: 2.4.2

pip install tensorflow>=2.4.2

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.1.4

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.1.4

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.2.3

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.2.3

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.3.3

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.3.3

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.4.2

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.4.2

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.1.4

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.1.4

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.2.3

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.2.3

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.3.3

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.3.3

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.4.2

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.4.2

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

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Python environment is affected by CVE-2021-29609, inspect your installed packages using pip:

pip show tensorflow

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Tensorflow in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.1.4), your application is affected.

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

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, where the product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. In Tensorflow, 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 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 a_indices = tf.zeros([10, 97], dtype=tf.int64) a_values = tf.zeros([10], dtype=tf.int64) a_shape = tf.zeros([0], dtype=tf.int64) b_indices = tf.zeros([0, 0], dtype=tf.int64) b_values = tf.zeros([0], dtype=tf.int64) b_shape = tf.zeros([0], dtype=tf.int64) thresh = 0 tf.raw_ops.SparseAdd(a_indices=a_indices, a_values=a_values, a_shape=a_shape, b_indices=b_indices, b_values=b_values, b_shape=b_shape, thresh=thresh) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/656e7673b14acd7835dc778867f84916c6d1cac2/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_add_op.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. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [6fd02f44810754ae7481838b6a67c5df7f909ca3](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/6fd02f44810754ae7481838b6a67c5df7f909ca3) followed by GitHub commit [41727ff06111117bdf86b37db198217fd7a143cc](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/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](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 Yakun Zhang and Ying Wang of Baidu X-Team.

CVE-2021-29609 Affected Tensorflow Versions

12 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

2.1.42.2.32.3.32.4.2

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	< 2.1.4	2.1.4
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	≥ 2.2.0 < 2.2.3	2.2.3
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	≥ 2.3.0 < 2.3.3	2.3.3
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	≥ 2.4.0 < 2.4.2	2.4.2
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	< 2.1.4	2.1.4
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	≥ 2.2.0 < 2.2.3	2.2.3
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	≥ 2.3.0 < 2.3.3	2.3.3
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	≥ 2.4.0 < 2.4.2	2.4.2
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	< 2.1.4	2.1.4
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	≥ 2.2.0 < 2.2.3	2.2.3
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	≥ 2.3.0 < 2.3.3	2.3.3
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	≥ 2.4.0 < 2.4.2	2.4.2

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64

NVD — CVE-2021-29609 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29609

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/41727ff06111117bdf86b37db198217fd7a143cc

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/6fd02f44810754ae7481838b6a67c5df7f909ca3

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-537.yaml

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-735.yaml

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-246.yaml

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 is a security vulnerability in Tensorflow involving Incomplete validation in `SparseAdd` under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write.

Which Tensorflow versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 across affected packages: tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu.

What version fixes CVE-2021-29609?

Upgrading to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is tensorflow affected?

Yes, tensorflow is affected in releases prior to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later.

Is tensorflow-cpu affected?

Yes, tensorflow-cpu is affected in releases prior to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2. Upgrade your dependency to 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-29609?

CVE-2021-29609 is classified under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write (The product writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.).

How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2021-29609?

Run the dependency tree command: 'pip show tensorflow'. 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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CVSS V3

5.3 MODERATE

Attack Vector Local (AV:L)

Attack Complexity High (AC:H)

Privileges Required Low (PR:L)

User Interaction None (UI:N)

Scope Unchanged (S:U)

Confidentiality None (C:N)

Integrity Low (I:L)

Availability High (A:H)

Vector String

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2021-05-21 14:28
Last Modified: 2024-11-13 16:19
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2021/05/GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64/GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64.json