CVE-2021-29541 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-29541, a vulnerability in TensorFlow, impacting versions prior to 2.1.4, between 2.2.0 to 2.2.3, between 2.3.0 to 2.3.3, and between 2.4.0 to 2.4.2.

Understanding CVE-2021-20657

This section delves into the nature of the vulnerability and its potential impact.

What is CVE-2021-20657?

CVE-2021-29541 is a null pointer dereference vulnerability in TensorFlow's

tf.raw_ops.StringNGrams

due to inadequate validation of arguments.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20657

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker leading to a null pointer dereference, impacting the integrity of the data without requiring user interaction.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20657

Explore the technical aspects of this vulnerability in TensorFlow.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from insufficient argument validation in certain TensorFlow operations, exposing the system to a null pointer dereference.

Affected Systems and Versions

TensorFlow versions prior to 2.1.4, between 2.2.0 to 2.2.3, between 2.3.0 to 2.3.3, and between 2.4.0 to 2.4.2 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger a null pointer dereference in

tf.raw_ops.StringNGrams

by exploiting the unvalidated

data_splits

argument.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-20657.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is advised to update TensorFlow to version 2.5.0 to address this vulnerability. For affected versions, patches are available in TensorFlow 2.4.2, 2.3.3, 2.2.3, and 2.1.4.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices and regularly update software to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and apply patches promptly to secure your systems.