CVE-2021-37636 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

TensorFlow, an open-source platform for machine learning, is impacted by CVE-2021-37636 due to a vulnerability in the implementation of

SparseDenseCwiseDiv

leading to a division by 0 error. The issue affects versions of TensorFlow greater than or equal to 2.3.4 but less than 2.5.1, 2.4.3, and 2.6.0. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies below.

Understanding CVE-2021-37636

This section provides an overview of the vulnerability affecting TensorFlow.

What is CVE-2021-37636?

TensorFlow's vulnerability in

SparseDenseCwiseDiv

can result in a division by 0 error due to inadequate handling of this specific case within the binary operation class implementation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37636

The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a medium severity issue. It has a low attack complexity but high availability impact, potentially leading to service disruption.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37636

Explore the technical aspects of the vulnerability in TensorFlow.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerable

SparseDenseCwiseDiv

functionality in TensorFlow allows a division by 0 error due to insufficient exception handling.

Affected Systems and Versions

TensorFlow versions >= 2.5.0 and < 2.5.1, >= 2.4.0 and < 2.4.3, as well as < 2.3.4 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited locally with low privileges and no user interaction required, making it relatively accessible to attackers.

Mitigation and Prevention

Discover the steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2021-37636.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update TensorFlow to version 2.6.0 or apply the respective patches in TensorFlow 2.5.1, 2.4.3, and 2.3.4 to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporating secure coding practices and regular security updates can help mitigate future vulnerabilities in TensorFlow.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security advisories from TensorFlow and promptly apply recommended patches to enhance security.