CVE-2023-25668 – This CVE describes a heap-based buffer overflow... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-25668?

CVE-2023-25668 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This CVE describes a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in TensorFlow that allows attackers to access memory outside user-controlled bounds. This can lead to application crashes or potentially remote code execution. All systems running TensorFlow versions prior to 2.12.0 or 2.11.1 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in TensorFlow that allows attackers to access memory outside user-controlled bounds. This can lead to application crashes or potentially remote code execution. All systems running TensorFlow versions prior to 2.12.0 or 2.11.1 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

TensorFlow

Versions: All versions prior to 2.12.0 and 2.11.1

Operating Systems: All platforms running TensorFlow

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Any application or service using TensorFlow for machine learning operations is vulnerable.

📦 What is this software?

Tensorflow by Google

View all CVEs affecting Tensorflow →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with attacker gaining full control of the affected system, potentially leading to data theft, system compromise, or lateral movement.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crash causing denial of service, with potential for information disclosure through memory leaks.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation and access controls, potentially only denial of service.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

CVSS 9.8 indicates critical severity with high attack vector and low attack complexity.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: TensorFlow 2.12.0 or 2.11.1

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-gw97-ff7c-9v96

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update TensorFlow to version 2.12.0 or 2.11.1 using pip: 'pip install --upgrade tensorflow==2.12.0' or 'pip install --upgrade tensorflow==2.11.1'. 2. Restart all services and applications using TensorFlow.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network Isolation

all

Restrict network access to TensorFlow services to trusted sources only

Input Validation

all

Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all TensorFlow model inputs

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network segmentation to isolate TensorFlow services
Deploy web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious TensorFlow API calls

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check TensorFlow version: 'python -c "import tensorflow as tf; print(tf.__version__)"' - if version is <2.12.0 and not 2.11.1, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

python -c "import tensorflow as tf; print(tf.__version__)"

Verify Fix Applied:

After update, verify version shows 2.12.0 or 2.11.1 using same command and test TensorFlow functionality.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Segmentation faults in TensorFlow processes
Memory access violation errors
Unexpected process termination

Network Indicators:

Unusual network traffic to TensorFlow API endpoints
Suspicious payloads in ML model inference requests

SIEM Query:

source="tensorflow" AND (event_type="segmentation_fault" OR event_type="memory_violation")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-25668

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-122

Published: March 25, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

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