CVE-2021-29550 : What You Need to Know

TensorFlow is an open-source platform for machine learning. An attacker exploiting 'FractionalAvgPool' can trigger a division by zero error, potentially leading to denial of service. The vulnerability affects TensorFlow versions < 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0 < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0 < 2.3.3, and >= 2.4.0 < 2.4.2. The issue has been assigned CVE-2021-29550.

Understanding CVE-2021-29550

This section aims to provide a detailed understanding of the CVE-2021-29550 vulnerability in TensorFlow.

What is CVE-2021-29550?

TensorFlow's 'FractionalAvgPool' operation can be exploited by an attacker to cause a division by zero error, potentially resulting in denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-29550

The vulnerability's impact lies in its ability to trigger a runtime division by zero error, leading to possible denial of service in TensorFlow.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-29550

Let's delve into the technical aspects of the CVE-2021-29550 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The 'FractionalAvgPool' implementation in TensorFlow can be manipulated to perform a division by zero, risking a denial of service attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

TensorFlow versions < 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0 < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0 < 2.3.3, and >= 2.4.0 < 2.4.2 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By controlling specific values in the 'FractionalAvgPool' operation, an attacker can induce a division by zero error, potentially leading to service denial.

Mitigation and Prevention

Understanding the steps to mitigate and prevent vulnerabilities is crucial in safeguarding systems.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update TensorFlow to version 2.5.0 to address the 'FractionalAvgPool' vulnerability. Additionally, patch updates are available for TensorFlow 2.4.2, 2.3.3, 2.2.3, and 2.1.4.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly updating TensorFlow to the latest versions and staying informed about security advisories are essential for maintaining system security.

Patching and Updates

Installing the provided patches for TensorFlow versions 2.4.2, 2.3.3, 2.2.3, and 2.1.4 is critical to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-29550.