CVE-2021-29526 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

TensorFlow, an open-source platform for machine learning, is affected by a vulnerability where an attacker can trigger a division by 0 in

tf.raw_ops.Conv2D

. The issue arises due to a division operation controlled by the caller, affecting versions prior to 2.1.4, between 2.2.0 to 2.2.3, 2.3.0 to 2.3.3, and 2.4.0 to 2.4.2. The fix is expected in TensorFlow 2.5.0.

Understanding CVE-2021-29526

This section delves into the impact and technical details of the TensorFlow vulnerability.

What is CVE-2021-29526?

TensorFlow's vulnerability, CVE-2021-29526, allows an attacker to induce a division by 0 in

tf.raw_ops.Conv2D

due to an unguarded division operation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29526

The vulnerability could lead to denial-of-service attacks or potentially unstable behavior in affected TensorFlow versions.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29526

Explore the specifics of the vulnerability in TensorFlow.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in

tf.raw_ops.Conv2D

can be exploited by attackers to trigger a division by 0, impacting TensorFlow's functionality.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of TensorFlow from < 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, to >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 are vulnerable to this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with local access can abuse the unguarded division operation in

tf.raw_ops.Conv2D

to conduct a successful attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-29526.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update TensorFlow to version 2.5.0 or apply patches for versions 2.4.2, 2.3.3, 2.2.3, and 2.1.4 to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices and regularly update TensorFlow to prevent exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and promptly apply patches released by TensorFlow to address known vulnerabilities.