CVE-2021-29539
Segfault in TensorFlow tf.raw_ops.ImmutableConst for tf.resource and tf.variant dtype
- CVSS 5.5
- CWE-681 Incorrect Conversion between Numeric Types
- Input Validation and Sanitization
- Local
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Calling `tf.raw_ops.ImmutableConst`(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/raw_ops/ImmutableConst) with a `dtype` of `tf.resource` or `tf.variant` results in a segfault in the implementation as code assumes that the tensor contents are pure scalars. We have patched the issue in 4f663d4b8f0bec1b48da6fa091a7d29609980fa4 and will release TensorFlow 2.5.0 containing the patch. TensorFlow nightly packages after this commit will also have the issue resolved. If using `tf.raw_ops.ImmutableConst` in code, you can prevent the segfault by inserting a filter for the `dtype` argument.
- CVSS base score
- 5.5
- Published
- 2021-05-14
- OWASP
- A06 Vulnerable and Outdated Components
- Orthogonal defect classification
- Function
- Code defect classification
- Incorrect Functionality
- Category
- Input Validation and Sanitization
- Subcategory
- Insecure Parsing or Deserialization
- Accessibility scope
- Local
- Impact
- Denial of Service (DoS)
- Affected component
- TensorFlow
- Fixed by upgrading
- Yes
Solution
Update to TensorFlow version 2.5.0 or higher.
Vulnerable code sample
import subprocess
import os
def process_user_command(user_input):
"""Process user command - VULNERABLE to code injection"""
# Dangerous: Direct execution without validation
command = f"echo 'Processing: {user_input}'"
# Vulnerable: os.system allows command injection
os.system(command)
return "Command executed"
def run_script(script_name):
"""Run user script - VULNERABLE"""
# Dangerous: No path validation
subprocess.call([f"python3 {script_name}"], shell=True)
# Vulnerable examples:
# process_user_command("test'; rm -rf /; echo '")
# run_script("../../../etc/passwd")Patched code sample
import subprocess
import shlex
import re
from pathlib import Path
from typing import Optional, List
class SecureCommandProcessor:
"""Secure command processor with validation"""
def __init__(self, allowed_commands: List[str] = None):
# Whitelist of allowed commands
self.allowed_commands = allowed_commands or ['echo', 'ls', 'cat', 'grep']
self.allowed_script_dir = Path('./safe_scripts').resolve()
def process_user_command(self, user_input: str) -> Optional[str]:
"""Securely process user command with validation"""
try:
# Input validation
if not user_input or len(user_input) > 100:
raise ValueError("Invalid input length")
# Sanitize input - only allow alphanumeric and safe chars
if not re.match(r'^[a-zA-Z0-9\s._-]+$', user_input):
raise ValueError("Input contains invalid characters")
# Use subprocess with explicit arguments (no shell)
result = subprocess.run(
['echo', f'Processing: {user_input}'],
capture_output=True,
text=True,
timeout=5
)
if result.returncode == 0:
return result.stdout.strip()
else:
return None
except Exception as e:
print(f"Command processing error: {e}")
return None
def run_safe_script(self, script_name: str) -> bool:
"""Run script from safe directory with validation"""
try:
# Input validation
if not script_name or not isinstance(script_name, str):
raise ValueError("Invalid script name")
# Sanitize filename
if not re.match(r'^[a-zA-Z0-9._-]+\.py$', script_name):
raise ValueError("Invalid script filename")
# Resolve script path
script_path = (self.allowed_script_dir / script_name).resolve()
# Security checks
if not script_path.exists() or not script_path.is_file():
raise FileNotFoundError("Script not found")
# Ensure script is within allowed directory
if not str(script_path).startswith(str(self.allowed_script_dir)):
raise ValueError("Script outside allowed directory")
# Run with explicit arguments (no shell)
result = subprocess.run(
['python3', str(script_path)],
capture_output=True,
timeout=30,
cwd=self.allowed_script_dir
)
return result.returncode == 0
except Exception as e:
print(f"Script execution error: {e}")
return False
# Secure usage
processor = SecureCommandProcessor()
result = processor.process_user_command("hello world")
success = processor.run_safe_script("safe_script.py")Cite this entry
@misc{vaitp:cve202129539,
title = {{Segfault in TensorFlow tf.raw_ops.ImmutableConst for tf.resource and tf.variant dtype}},
author = {Bogaerts, Fr\'ed\'eric and Ivaki, Naghmeh and Fonseca, Jos\'e},
year = {2021},
note = {VAITP Python Vulnerability Dataset, entry CVE-2021-29539},
howpublished = {\url{https://netpack.pt/vaitp/vulnerability/CVE-2021-29539/}}
}
Introducing the "VAITP dataset": a specialized repository of Python vulnerabilities and patches, meticulously compiled for the use of the security research community. As Python's prominence grows, understanding and addressing potential security vulnerabilities become crucial. Crafted by and for the cybersecurity community, this dataset offers a valuable resource for researchers, analysts, and developers to analyze and mitigate the security risks associated with Python. Through the comprehensive exploration of vulnerabilities and corresponding patches, the VAITP dataset fosters a safer and more resilient Python ecosystem, encouraging collaborative advancements in programming security.
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