CVE-2021-41227: Tensorflow Arbitrary Memory Read Vulnerability

Q: What is CVE-2021-41227?

CVE-2021-41227 is a security vulnerability in Tensorflow involving Arbitrary memory read in `ImmutableConst` under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read.

Q: Which Tensorflow versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 across affected packages: tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu.

Q: What version fixes CVE-2021-41227?

Upgrading to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Q: Is tensorflow affected?

Yes, tensorflow is affected in releases prior to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4. Upgrade your dependency to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 or later.

Q: Is tensorflow-cpu affected?

Yes, tensorflow-cpu is affected in releases prior to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4. Upgrade your dependency to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 or later.

Q: What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-41227?

CVE-2021-41227 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.6 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L.

Q: What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-41227?

CVE-2021-41227 is classified under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read (The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.).

Q: How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2021-41227?

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-j8c8-67vp-6mx7

CVSS 6.6

CWE-125

Published 2021-11-10

Advisory Summary

CVE-2021-41227 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.6) arbitrary memory read vulnerability (CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read) affecting Tensorflow libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves arbitrary memory read in `immutableconst`. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4.

CVE-2021-41227 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2021-41227

GHSA Identifier GHSA-j8c8-67vp-6mx7

Severity MODERATE

CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.6

CWE Classification CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read

Affected Product Tensorflow

Package Ecosystem PyPI

Published Date 2021-11-10

Last Updated 2024-11-13

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.6

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:H/I:L/A:L).

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 High (C:H)

Integrity Low (I:L)

Availability Low (A:L)

How to Fix CVE-2021-41227

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: 2.6.1

pip install tensorflow>=2.6.1

tensorflow fixed: 2.5.2

pip install tensorflow>=2.5.2

tensorflow fixed: 2.4.4

pip install tensorflow>=2.4.4

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.6.1

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.6.1

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.5.2

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.5.2

tensorflow-cpu fixed: 2.4.4

pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.4.4

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.6.1

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.6.1

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.5.2

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.5.2

tensorflow-gpu fixed: 2.4.4

pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.4.4

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-2021-41227, 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 2.6.1), 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-125: Out-of-bounds Read, where the product reads 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 The `ImmutableConst` operation in TensorFlow can be tricked into reading arbitrary memory contents: ```python import tensorflow as tf with open('/tmp/test','wb') as f: f.write(b'\xe2'*128) data = tf.raw_ops.ImmutableConst(dtype=tf.string,shape=3,memory_region_name='/tmp/test') print(data) ``` This is because the `tstring` TensorFlow string class has a special case for memory mapped strings but the operation itself does not offer any support for this datatype. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [3712a2d3455e6ccb924daa5724a3652a86f6b585](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/3712a2d3455e6ccb924daa5724a3652a86f6b585) and GitHub commit [1cb6bb6c2a6019417c9adaf9e6843ba75ee2580b](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/1cb6bb6c2a6019417c9adaf9e6843ba75ee2580b). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.7.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.6.1, TensorFlow 2.5.2, and TensorFlow 2.4.4, 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-2021-41227 Affected Tensorflow Versions

9 component(s)

Fixed Versions:

2.6.12.5.22.4.4

Product / Package	Ecosystem	Affected Versions	Fixed Version
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	≥ 2.6.0 < 2.6.1	2.6.1
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	≥ 2.5.0 < 2.5.2	2.5.2
tensorflow pypi/tensorflow	PyPI	< 2.4.4	2.4.4
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	≥ 2.6.0 < 2.6.1	2.6.1
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	≥ 2.5.0 < 2.5.2	2.5.2
tensorflow-cpu pypi/tensorflow-cpu	PyPI	< 2.4.4	2.4.4
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	≥ 2.6.0 < 2.6.1	2.6.1
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	≥ 2.5.0 < 2.5.2	2.5.2
tensorflow-gpu pypi/tensorflow-gpu	PyPI	< 2.4.4	2.4.4

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-j8c8-67vp-6mx7

NVD — CVE-2021-41227 NVD

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41227

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/1cb6bb6c2a6019417c9adaf9e6843ba75ee2580b

Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/3712a2d3455e6ccb924daa5724a3652a86f6b585

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-636.yaml

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-834.yaml

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-419.yaml

Tensorflow Source Repository REPOSITORY

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-41227?

CVE-2021-41227 is a security vulnerability in Tensorflow involving Arbitrary memory read in `ImmutableConst` under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read.

Which Tensorflow versions are affected?

Affected versions include releases prior to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 across affected packages: tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu.

What version fixes CVE-2021-41227?

Upgrading to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.

Is tensorflow affected?

Yes, tensorflow is affected in releases prior to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4. Upgrade your dependency to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 or later.

Is tensorflow-cpu affected?

Yes, tensorflow-cpu is affected in releases prior to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4. Upgrade your dependency to 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 or later.

What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-41227?

CVE-2021-41227 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.6 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:L.

What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-41227?

CVE-2021-41227 is classified under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read (The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.).

How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2021-41227?

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

6.6 MODERATE

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 High (C:H)

Integrity Low (I:L)

Availability Low (A:L)

Vector String

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

Advisory Metadata

Source ID: GHSA-j8c8-67vp-6mx7
Schema Version: 1.4.0
Published: 2021-11-10 18:34
Last Modified: 2024-11-13 22:06
Database Record File: advisories/github-reviewed/2021/11/GHSA-j8c8-67vp-6mx7/GHSA-j8c8-67vp-6mx7.json