CVE-2021-29531

Low

Description

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. An attacker can trigger a `CHECK` fail in PNG encoding by providing an empty input tensor as the pixel data. This is because the implementation(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/e312e0791ce486a80c9d23110841525c6f7c3289/tensorflow/core/kernels/image/encode_png_op.cc#L57-L60) only validates that the total number of pixels in the image does not overflow. Thus, an attacker can send an empty matrix for encoding. However, if the tensor is empty, then the associated buffer is `nullptr`. Hence, when calling `png::WriteImageToBuffer`(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/e312e0791ce486a80c9d23110841525c6f7c3289/tensorflow/core/kernels/image/encode_png_op.cc#L79-L93), the first argument (i.e., `image.flat<T>().data()`) is `NULL`. This then triggers the `CHECK_NOTNULL` in the first line of `png::WriteImageToBuffer`(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/e312e0791ce486a80c9d23110841525c6f7c3289/tensorflow/core/lib/png/png_io.cc#L345-L349). Since `image` is null, this results in `abort` being called after printing the stacktrace. Effectively, this allows an attacker to mount a denial of service attack. 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.

SeverityLow
CVSS2.5
Exploit probability—
ProductGoogle Tensorflow
PublishedMay 14, 2021
First seenMay 14, 2021
Weakness typeCWE-754CWE-754

How to fix

Update
  • google tensorflow2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later
  • tensorflow2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later
  • tensorflow-cpu2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later
  • tensorflow-gpu2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 or later

Affected products

ProductAffected versionsFixed in
google tensorflowv < 2.1.4, 2.2.0 ≤ v < 2.2.3, 2.3.0 ≤ v < 2.3.3, 2.4.0 ≤ v < 2.4.22.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2
tensorflowPyPIv < 2.1.4, 2.2.0 ≤ v < 2.2.3, 2.3.0 ≤ v < 2.3.3, 2.4.0 ≤ v < 2.4.22.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2
tensorflow-cpuPyPIv < 2.1.4, 2.2.0 ≤ v < 2.2.3, 2.3.0 ≤ v < 2.3.3, 2.4.0 ≤ v < 2.4.22.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2
tensorflow-gpuPyPIv < 2.1.4, 2.2.0 ≤ v < 2.2.3, 2.3.0 ≤ v < 2.3.3, 2.4.0 ≤ v < 2.4.22.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2

Check your version

Choose the product and enter the version you run to see whether it falls in the affected range.

In the Intelligence 360 plan

Attack Surface Management

See the assets tied to your domains, the technologies they run and known vulnerabilities in one list.