CVE-2021-29586 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. This CVE, identified as CVE-2021-29586, highlights a vulnerability in optimized pooling implementations within the TFLite module. The issue arises from a failure to validate stride arguments, potentially leading to a division by zero error.

Understanding CVE-2021-29586

In this section, we will delve into the specifics of CVE-2021-29586.

What is CVE-2021-29586?

CVE-2021-29586 exposes a divide by zero vulnerability in optimized pooling implementations in TFLite due to inadequate checks on stride arguments.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29586

The vulnerability poses a low severity risk with a CVSS base score of 2.5. Attack complexity is rated as high, with an attacker requiring low privileges and local access to exploit the flaw.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29586

Let's explore the technical aspects of CVE-2021-29586 to gain a better understanding of the issue.

Vulnerability Description

Optimized pooling implementations in TFLite fail to verify that stride arguments are not zero, leading to a potential division by zero scenario.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected versions include TensorFlow versions before 2.1.4 and versions between 2.2.0 to 2.4.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage special crafted models to set

params->stride_{height,width}

as zero, triggering a division by zero condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-29586, proactive measures need to be implemented to mitigate the associated risks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update to TensorFlow version 2.5.0 or apply the necessary patches provided in TensorFlow 2.4.2, 2.3.3, 2.2.3, and 2.1.4.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust input validation mechanisms and ensuring regular security audits can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor for security advisories from TensorFlow and promptly apply patches to eliminate known vulnerabilities.