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AVID-2026-R0801
Description
Incomplete validation in SparseAdd (CVE-2021-29609)
Details
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Incomplete validation in SparseAdd results in allowing attackers to exploit undefined behavior (dereferencing null pointers) as well as write outside of bounds of heap allocated data. The implementation(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/656e7673b14acd7835dc778867f84916c6d1cac2/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_add_op.cc) has a large set of validation for the two sparse tensor inputs (6 tensors in total), but does not validate that the tensors are not empty or that the second dimension of *_indices matches the size of corresponding *_shape. This allows attackers to send tensor triples that represent invalid sparse tensors to abuse code assumptions that are not protected by validation. 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.
Reason for inclusion in AVID: CVE-2021-29609 describes an incomplete validation in TensorFlow’s SparseAdd, leading to potential undefined behavior and memory corruption. TensorFlow is a core AI framework used to build/train/deploy general-purpose AI systems, so a vulnerability in this library directly impacts AI software stacks and pipelines. The CVE provides details, affected versions, and commits addressing the fix, satisfying evidence for a software vulnerability in an AI supply chain component.
References
- NVD entry
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-cjc7-49v2-jp64
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/41727ff06111117bdf86b37db198217fd7a143cc
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/6fd02f44810754ae7481838b6a67c5df7f909ca3
Affected or Relevant Artifacts
- Developer: tensorflow
- Deployer: tensorflow
- Artifact Details:
| Type | Name |
|---|---|
| System | tensorflow |
Impact
AVID Taxonomy Categorization
- Risk domains: Security
- SEP subcategories: S0100: Software Vulnerability
- Lifecycle stages: L06: Deployment
CVSS
| Version | 3.1 |
| Vector String | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H |
| Base Score | 5.3 |
| Base Severity | 🟠 Medium |
| Attack Vector | LOCAL |
| Attack Complexity | 🔴 High |
| Privileges Required | 🟢 Low |
| User Interaction | NONE |
| Scope | UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality Impact | NONE |
| Integrity Impact | 🟢 Low |
| Availability Impact | 🔴 High |
CWE
| ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-665 | CWE-665: Improper Initialization |
Other information
- Report Type: Advisory
- Credits:
- Date Reported: 2021-05-14
- Version: 0.3.3
- AVID Entry