Medium

Interpreter crash from `tf.io.decode_raw`

  • Disclosed: 14.05.2021
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 15:17

Impact

The implementation of tf.io.decode_raw produces incorrect results and crashes the Python interpreter when combining fixed_length and wider datatypes.

python
import tensorflow as tf

tf.io.decode_raw(tf.constant(["1","2","3","4"]), tf.uint16, fixed_length=4)

The implementation of the padded version is buggy due to a confusion about pointer arithmetic rules.

First, the code computes the width of each output element by dividing the fixed_length value to the size of the type argument:

cc
int width = fixed_length / sizeof(T);

The fixed_length argument is also used to determine the size needed for the output tensor:

cc
TensorShape out_shape = input.shape();
out_shape.AddDim(width);
Tensor* output_tensor = nullptr;
OP_REQUIRES_OK(context, context->allocate_output("output", out_shape, &output_tensor));

auto out = output_tensor->flat_inner_dims<T>();
T* out_data = out.data();
memset(out_data, 0, fixed_length * flat_in.size());

This is followed by reencoding code:

cc
for (int64 i = 0; i < flat_in.size(); ++i) {
  const T* in_data = reinterpret_cast<const T*>(flat_in(i).data());

  if (flat_in(i).size() > fixed_length) {
    memcpy(out_data, in_data, fixed_length);
  } else {
    memcpy(out_data, in_data, flat_in(i).size());
  }
  out_data += fixed_length;
}

The erroneous code is the last line above: it is moving the out_data pointer by fixed_length * sizeof(T) bytes whereas it only copied at most fixed_length bytes from the input. This results in parts of the input not being decoded into the output.

Furthermore, because the pointer advance is far wider than desired, this quickly leads to writing to outside the bounds of the backing data. This OOB write leads to interpreter crash in the reproducer mentioned here, but more severe attacks can be mounted too, given that this gadget allows writing to periodically placed locations in memory.

Patches

We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 698e01511f62a3c185754db78ebce0eee1f0184d.

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.

Affected software

Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.

PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed 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

CVSS score 7.1/10
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Weakness (CWE)
CWE-665, CWE-787
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-2021-251 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-542 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-740 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-8pmx-p244-g88h - 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.

All (430) in the archive
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

  1. 2019: 7
  2. 2020: 35
  3. 2021: 200
  4. 2022: 166
  5. 2023: 21
  6. 2024: 1
  7. 2025: 0
  8. 2026: 0
Severity:
  1. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-33976 < 2.12.1 2.12.1
  2. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25659 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  3. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25660 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  4. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25662 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  5. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25663 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  6. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25664 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  7. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25665 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  8. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25666 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  9. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25669 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  10. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25671 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  11. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25672 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  12. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25673 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  13. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25674 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  14. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25675 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  15. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25676 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  16. High · 8.0 CVE-2023-25801 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  17. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-27579 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  18. High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25658 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  19. High · 7.1 CVE-2022-41902 < 2.8.4, >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.3, >= 2.10.0, < 2.10.1 2.8.4, 2.9.3, 2.10.1
  20. High · 7.1 CVE-2022-41900 < 2.8.4, >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.3, >= 2.10.0, < 2.10.1 2.8.4, 2.9.3, 2.10.1
  21. High · 7.0 CVE-2022-35939 < 2.7.2, >= 2.8.0, < 2.8.1, >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.1 2.7.2, 2.8.1, 2.9.1
  22. High · 7.0 CVE-2022-35937 < 2.7.2, >= 2.8.0, < 2.8.1, >= 2.9.0, < 2.9.1 2.7.2, 2.8.1, 2.9.1
  23. High · 7.8 CVE-2022-29216 < 2.6.4, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.2, >= 2.8.0, < 2.8.1 2.6.4, 2.7.2, 2.8.1
  24. High · 7.1 CVE-2022-29208 < 2.6.4, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.2, >= 2.8.0, < 2.8.1 2.6.4, 2.7.2, 2.8.1
  25. Critical · 9.3 ghsa-h6gw-r52c-724r < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  26. High · 7.0 ghsa-43q8-3fv7-pr5x < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  27. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23594 >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.7.1
  28. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23560 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  29. High · 7.1 CVE-2022-23563 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  30. High · 8.1 CVE-2022-23592 >= 2.7.0, < 2.8.0 2.8.0
  31. High · 7.5 CVE-2022-23591 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  32. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23574 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  33. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23573 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  34. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23562 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  35. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23561 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  36. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23559 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  37. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23566 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  38. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23584 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  39. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23558 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  40. High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23587 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  41. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-21740 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  42. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21741 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  43. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21739 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  44. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21737 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  45. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21738 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  46. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-23569 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  47. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21729 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  48. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21734 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  49. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21735 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  50. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-21736 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  51. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-21731 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  52. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-23567 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  53. High · 6.5 CVE-2022-23568 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  54. High · 8.1 CVE-2022-21726 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  55. High · 8.1 CVE-2022-21728 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  56. High · 7.6 CVE-2022-21727 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  57. High · 8.1 CVE-2022-21730 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1
  58. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41221 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  59. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41220 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 2.6.1
  60. Critical · 9.3 CVE-2021-41208 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  61. High · 7.0 CVE-2021-41206 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  62. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41219 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  63. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41214 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  64. High · 7.1 CVE-2021-41212 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  65. High · 7.1 CVE-2021-41211 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 2.6.1
  66. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41203 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  67. High · 7.1 CVE-2021-41210 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  68. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41201 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4
  69. High · 7.1 CVE-2021-37679 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  70. High · 9.3 CVE-2021-37678 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  71. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37665 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  72. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37663 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  73. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37689 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  74. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37688 >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, < 2.3.4 2.5.1, 2.4.3, 2.3.4
  75. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37681 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  76. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37676 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  77. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37671 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  78. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37667 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  79. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37666 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  80. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37652 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  81. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37648 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  82. High · 7.3 CVE-2021-37664 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  83. High · 7.3 CVE-2021-37659 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  84. High · 7.3 CVE-2021-37655 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  85. High · 7.3 CVE-2021-37654 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  86. High · 7.1 CVE-2021-37651 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  87. High · 7.8 CVE-2021-37650 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  88. High · 7.3 CVE-2021-37635 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  89. High · 7.7 CVE-2021-37649 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  90. High · 7.7 CVE-2021-37647 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  91. High · 7.7 CVE-2021-37643 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  92. High · 8.4 CVE-2021-37639 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  93. High · 7.7 CVE-2021-37638 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  94. High · 7.7 CVE-2021-37637 < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1
  95. Interpreter crash from `tf.io.decode_raw` this entry
    Medium · 7.1 CVE-2021-29614 < 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
  96. High · 7.3 CVE-2021-29591 < 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
  97. High · 9.1 CVE-2020-26269 >= 2.4.0rc0, < 2.4.0 2.4.0
  98. High · 5.9 CVE-2020-15265 < 2.4.0 2.4.0
  99. Critical · 8.1 CVE-2020-15214 >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  100. Critical · 8.1 CVE-2020-15212 >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  101. High · 6.5 CVE-2020-15210 < 1.15.4, >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3, >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  102. High · 5.9 CVE-2020-15209 < 1.15.4, >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3, >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  103. High · 7.4 CVE-2020-15208 < 1.15.4, >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3, >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  104. High · 9.0 CVE-2020-15206 < 1.15.4, >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3, >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  105. High · 7.5 CVE-2020-15203 < 1.15.4, >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3, >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  106. High · 9.0 CVE-2020-15202 < 1.15.4, >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.3, >= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1
  107. High · 5.9 CVE-2020-15200 >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 2.3.1
  108. High · 5.9 CVE-2020-15199 >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 2.3.1
  109. High · 7.1 CVE-2020-15193 >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 2.2.1, 2.3.1

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