CVE-2022-35964 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A detailed analysis of CVE-2022-35964 highlighting the vulnerability in TensorFlow's

BlockLSTMGradV2

implementation and its impact.

Understanding CVE-2022-35964

What is CVE-2022-35964?

TensorFlow, an open-source machine learning platform, is affected by a vulnerability in the

BlockLSTMGradV2

module due to improper input validation. This flaw allows attackers to trigger a denial of service attack by causing a segmentation fault.

The Impact of CVE-2022-35964

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 5.9. It has a high impact on availability but does not compromise confidentiality or integrity. The attack vector is through the network with no user interaction required.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-35964

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the lack of input validation in the

BlockLSTMGradV2

module, leading to a segfault that could be exploited for a denial of service attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

TensorFlow versions < 2.7.2
TensorFlow versions >= 2.8.0, < 2.8.1
TensorFlow versions >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to trigger a denial of service attack by abusing the segfault triggered due to insufficient input validation.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update TensorFlow to version 2.10.0, which includes the patch for CVE-2022-35964. For users on affected versions 2.7.2, 2.8.1, and 2.9.1, it is recommended to cherry-pick the commit 2a458fc4866505be27c62f81474ecb2b870498fa to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong input validation mechanisms in code to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regularly update software and dependencies to stay protected against known security flaws.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely application of security patches and updates released by TensorFlow to address vulnerabilities and enhance system security.