Vulnerability Details : CVE-2021-29531
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. An attacker can trigger a `CHECK` fail in PNG encoding by providing an empty input tensor as the pixel data. This is because the implementation(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/e312e0791ce486a80c9d23110841525c6f7c3289/tensorflow/core/kernels/image/encode_png_op.cc#L57-L60) only validates that the total number of pixels in the image does not overflow. Thus, an attacker can send an empty matrix for encoding. However, if the tensor is empty, then the associated buffer is `nullptr`. Hence, when calling `png::WriteImageToBuffer`(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/e312e0791ce486a80c9d23110841525c6f7c3289/tensorflow/core/kernels/image/encode_png_op.cc#L79-L93), the first argument (i.e., `image.flat<T>().data()`) is `NULL`. This then triggers the `CHECK_NOTNULL` in the first line of `png::WriteImageToBuffer`(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/e312e0791ce486a80c9d23110841525c6f7c3289/tensorflow/core/lib/png/png_io.cc#L345-L349). Since `image` is null, this results in `abort` being called after printing the stacktrace. Effectively, this allows an attacker to mount a denial of service attack. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.
Vulnerability category: Denial of service
Exploit prediction scoring system (EPSS) score for CVE-2021-29531
Probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days: 0.04%
Percentile, the proportion of vulnerabilities that are scored at or less: ~ 11 % EPSS Score History EPSS FAQ
CVSS scores for CVE-2021-29531
Base Score | Base Severity | CVSS Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.1
|
LOW | AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P |
3.9
|
2.9
|
nvd@nist.gov |
5.5
|
MEDIUM | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H |
1.8
|
3.6
|
nvd@nist.gov |
2.5
|
LOW | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L |
1.0
|
1.4
|
security-advisories@github.com |
CWE ids for CVE-2021-29531
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The product does not check or incorrectly checks for unusual or exceptional conditions that are not expected to occur frequently during day to day operation of the product.Assigned by: security-advisories@github.com (Primary)
References for CVE-2021-29531
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https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/26eb323554ffccd173e8a79a8c05c15b685ae4d1
Fix null CHECK issue with `tf.raw_ops.EncodePng`. · tensorflow/tensorflow@26eb323 · GitHubPatch;Third Party Advisory
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https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-3qxp-qjq7-w4hf
`CHECK`-fail in `tf.raw_ops.EncodePng` · Advisory · tensorflow/tensorflow · GitHubExploit;Patch;Third Party Advisory
Products affected by CVE-2021-29531
- cpe:2.3:a:google:tensorflow:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:google:tensorflow:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:google:tensorflow:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:google:tensorflow:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*