CVE-2021-37639 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

TensorFlow is an open-source platform for machine learning. An issue in TensorFlow allows attackers to trick the system into dereferencing a null pointer or reading memory outside heap bounds. This vulnerability has been patched in TensorFlow 2.6.0 and versions 2.5.1, 2.4.3, and 2.3.4. The impact severity is rated as HIGH.

Understanding CVE-2021-37639

TensorFlow faced a security flaw that could result in null pointer dereference and heap out-of-bounds read.

What is CVE-2021-37639?

CVE-2021-37639 is a vulnerability in TensorFlow that enables attackers to manipulate tensors, potentially leading to null pointer dereference or heap out-of-bounds read.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37639

This vulnerability in TensorFlow poses a high risk as attackers can exploit it to dereference null pointers or perform heap out-of-bounds reads.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37639

The vulnerability involves restoring tensors via raw APIs, enabling attackers to trick TensorFlow into dereferencing null pointers. This issue affects TensorFlow versions 2.5.0 to 2.5.1, 2.4.0 to 2.4.3, and versions below 2.3.4.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to dereference null pointers or read memory beyond the heap bounds by manipulating tensor restoration in TensorFlow.

Affected Systems and Versions

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

Exploitation Mechanism

By not providing tensor names or providing insufficient names, attackers can exploit the vulnerability to trigger null pointer dereference or heap out-of-bounds read.

Mitigation and Prevention

Users should take immediate steps to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-37639 in TensorFlow.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update TensorFlow to version 2.6.0 or apply the provided patches for versions 2.5.1, 2.4.3, and 2.3.4 to address the vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Maintain regular updates and monitor security advisories issued by TensorFlow to stay protected from potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Install the latest TensorFlow updates and follow security best practices to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.