CVE-2021-37648: Tensorflow Incorrect Validation Of `SaveV2` Inputs Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2021-37648 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.8) incorrect validation of `savev2` inputs vulnerability (CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference) affecting Tensorflow libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves incorrect validation of `savev2` inputs. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1.
CVE-2021-37648 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.8
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:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2021-37648
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.
pip install tensorflow>=2.3.4
pip install tensorflow>=2.4.3
pip install tensorflow>=2.5.1
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.3.4
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.4.3
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.5.1
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.3.4
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.4.3
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.5.1
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-2021-37648, 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 2.3.4), 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-476: NULL Pointer Dereference, where the product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is null. 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
CVE-2021-37648 Affected Tensorflow Versions
9 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
< 2.3.4
|
2.3.4
|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.4.3
|
2.4.3
|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.1
All 1 versions
2.5.0
|
2.5.1
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
< 2.3.4
|
2.3.4
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.4.3
|
2.4.3
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.1
All 1 versions
2.5.0
|
2.5.1
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
< 2.3.4
|
2.3.4
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.4.0
< 2.4.3
|
2.4.3
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.5.0
< 2.5.1
All 1 versions
2.5.0
|
2.5.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-37648?
Which Tensorflow versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2021-37648?
Is tensorflow affected?
Is tensorflow-cpu affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2021-37648?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2021-37648?
How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2021-37648?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8",
"modified" : "2024-11-13T17:23:03Z",
"published" : "2021-08-25T14:43:29Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2021-37648" ],
"summary" : "Incorrect validation of `SaveV2` inputs",
"details" : "### Impact\nThe code for `tf.raw_ops.SaveV2` does not properly validate the inputs and an attacker can trigger a null pointer dereference:\n\n```python\nimport tensorflow as tf\n\ntf.raw_ops.SaveV2(\n prefix=['tensorflow'],\n tensor_name=['v'],\n shape_and_slices=[],\n tensors=[1,2,3])\n```\n \nThe [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.\n\nHowever, 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.\n \n### Patches\nWe have patched the issue in GitHub commit [9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986).\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:H/I:H/A:H"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
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"versions" : [ "2.5.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
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},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
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}, {
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}, {
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"name" : "tensorflow-gpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
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"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.5.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.5.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.5.0" ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37648"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-561.yaml"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-759.yaml"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-270.yaml"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-476" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2021-08-23T21:12:17Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2021-08-12T22:15:00Z"
}
}