Reference binding to null in `ParameterizedTruncatedNormal`
Impact
An attacker can trigger undefined behavior by binding to null pointer in tf.raw_ops.ParameterizedTruncatedNormal:
import tensorflow as tf
shape = tf.constant([], shape=[0], dtype=tf.int32)
means = tf.constant((1), dtype=tf.float32)
stdevs = tf.constant((1), dtype=tf.float32)
minvals = tf.constant((1), dtype=tf.float32)
maxvals = tf.constant((1), dtype=tf.float32)
tf.raw_ops.ParameterizedTruncatedNormal(
shape=shape, means=means, stdevs=stdevs, minvals=minvals, maxvals=maxvals)
This is because the implementation does not validate input arguments before accessing the first element of shape:
int32 num_batches = shape_tensor.flat<int32>()(0);
If shape argument is empty, then shape_tensor.flat<T>() is an empty array.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 5e52ef5a461570cfb68f3bdbbebfe972cb4e0fd8.
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.
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 Ying Wang and Yakun Zhang of Baidu X-Team.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | < 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | < 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | < 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-4p4p-www8-8fv9
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5e52ef5a461570cfb68f3bdbbebfe972cb4e0fd8
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29568
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-496.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-694.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-205.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-476, CWE-824- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 14.05.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-205 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-496 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-694 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-4p4p-www8-8fv9 - 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
-
Reference binding to null in `ParameterizedTruncatedNormal` this entry
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