CVE-2022-23581 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides insights into CVE-2022-23581, a vulnerability in TensorFlow that can lead to denial of service attacks by triggering

CHECK

failures during Grappler's

IsSimplifiableReshape

function.

Understanding CVE-2022-23581

CVE-2022-23581 is a vulnerability in TensorFlow that affects versions 2.5.3 up to 2.7.0, excluding version 2.7.1.

What is CVE-2022-23581?

TensorFlow's Grappler optimizer can be exploited to cause denial of service by manipulating a

SavedModel

which triggers

CHECK

failures in the

IsSimplifiableReshape

function.

The Impact of CVE-2022-23581

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 6.5 (Medium severity) with a HIGH availability impact. It requires LOW privileges and can be exploited over the network without user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-23581

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the optimizer Grappler in TensorFlow, allowing malicious actors to disrupt the service by inducing

CHECK

failures.

Affected Systems and Versions

The versions impacted include TensorFlow >= 2.7.0 and < 2.7.1, >= 2.6.0 and < 2.6.3, and < 2.5.3.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability involves tampering with a

SavedModel

to trigger

CHECK

failures within the

IsSimplifiableReshape

function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate this issue, users are advised to update their TensorFlow installations to version 2.8.0. Patch updates for versions 2.7.1, 2.6.3, and 2.5.3 have also been released by TensorFlow to address this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing a proactive security posture by staying updated with patch releases and following secure coding practices can help prevent such vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitoring security advisories and applying patches promptly is crucial to maintaining a secure TensorFlow environment.