Segfault in SparseCountSparseOutput
Impact
Specifying a negative dense shape in tf.raw_ops.SparseCountSparseOutput results in a segmentation fault being thrown out from the standard library as std::vector invariants are broken.
import tensorflow as tf
indices = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 0], dtype=tf.int64)
values = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 0], dtype=tf.int64)
dense_shape = tf.constant([-100, -100, -100], shape=[3], dtype=tf.int64)
weights = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 0], dtype=tf.int64)
tf.raw_ops.SparseCountSparseOutput(indices=indices, values=values, dense_shape=dense_shape, weights=weights, minlength=79, maxlength=96, binary_output=False)This is because the implementation assumes the first element of the dense shape is always positive and uses it to initialize a BatchedMap<T> (i.e., std::vector<absl::flat_hash_map<int64,T>>) data structure.
bool is_1d = shape.NumElements() == 1;
int num_batches = is_1d ? 1 : shape.flat<int64>()(0);
...
auto per_batch_counts = BatchedMap<W>(num_batches);If the shape tensor has more than one element, num_batches is the first value in shape.
Ensuring that the dense_shape argument is a valid tensor shape (that is, all elements are non-negative) solves this issue.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit c57c0b9f3a4f8684f3489dd9a9ec627ad8b599f5.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3.
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 has been reported by Yakun Zhang and Ying Wang of Baidu X-Team.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/c57c0b9f3a4f8684f3489dd9a9ec627ad8b599f5
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-hr84-fqvp-48mm
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29521
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-449.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-647.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-158.yaml
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-131- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 14.05.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-158 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-449 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-647 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-hr84-fqvp-48mm - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow-cpu
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
- 430
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 111
- Medium 208
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 166
- 2023: 21
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
Segfault in SparseCountSparseOutput this entry
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