CVE-2021-37657 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

The vulnerability in TensorFlow allows an attacker to trigger undefined behavior by linking a reference to a null pointer in operations related to

MatrixDiagV*

.

Understanding CVE-2021-37657

This CVE describes a flaw in TensorFlow that could lead to unexpected behavior when handling certain operations.

What is CVE-2021-37657?

TensorFlow, an open-source machine learning platform, is impacted by a vulnerability that enables an attacker to cause undefined behavior by associating a reference with a null pointer in operations involving

tf.raw_ops.MatrixDiagV*

.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37657

The vulnerability poses a high integrity impact as it can result in undefined behavior when accessing elements of an empty tensor. This issue has a CVSS base score of 7.1 (High).

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37657

The vulnerability allows attackers to bind a reference to a null pointer, potentially causing undefined behavior in

MatrixDiagV*

operations within TensorFlow.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from incomplete validation in TensorFlow's implementation, specifically in validating the number of elements within a tensor.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of TensorFlow from 2.3.4 to 2.5.0 (excluding 2.5.1) are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can associate a reference with a null pointer, leading to undefined behavior in TensorFlow operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-37657, it is crucial to follow immediate steps and implement long-term security practices to safeguard systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to apply the provided patches from TensorFlow to mitigate the vulnerability. Ensure that systems are updated to TensorFlow versions 2.5.1, 2.4.3, or 2.3.4.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities in software.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches released by TensorFlow to protect systems from known vulnerabilities.