Denial of Service in Tensorflow
Impact
The SparseCountSparseOutput implementation does not validate that the input arguments form a valid sparse tensor. In particular, there is no validation that the indices tensor has rank 2. This tensor must be a matrix because code assumes its elements are accessed as elements of a matrix:
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/0e68f4d3295eb0281a517c3662f6698992b7b2cf/tensorflow/core/kernels/count_ops.cc#L185
However, malicious users can pass in tensors of different rank, resulting in a CHECK assertion failure and a crash. This can be used to cause denial of service in serving installations, if users are allowed to control the components of the input sparse tensor.
Patches
We have patched the issue in 3cbb917b4714766030b28eba9fb41bb97ce9ee02 and will release a patch release.
We recommend users to upgrade to TensorFlow 2.3.1.
For more information
Please consult our security guide for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.
Attribution
This vulnerability is a variant of GHSA-p5f8-gfw5-33w4
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 | 2.3.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 | 2.3.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 | 2.3.1 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-qc53-44cj-vfvx
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.3.1
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/3cbb917b4714766030b28eba9fb41bb97ce9ee02
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15197
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2020-277.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2020-312.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2020-120.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-20, CWE-617- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 25.09.2020
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2020-120 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2020-277 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2020-312 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-qc53-44cj-vfvx - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 433
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 112
- Medium 210
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 169
- 2023: 21
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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Denial of Service in Tensorflow this entry
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