Reference binding to nullptr in unicode encoding
Impact
An attacker can cause undefined behavior via binding a reference to null pointer in tf.raw_ops.UnicodeEncode:
import tensorflow as tf
from tensorflow.python.ops import gen_string_ops
gen_string_ops.unicode_encode(
input_values=[],
input_splits=[],
output_encoding='UTF-8',
errors='ignore',
replacement_char='a')The implementation reads the first dimension of the input_splits tensor before validating that this tensor is not empty:
const Tensor& input_splits = context->input(1);
const auto input_splits_flat = input_splits.flat<SPLITS_TYPE>();
TensorShape output_shape({input_splits.dim_size(0) - 1});Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 2e0ee46f1a47675152d3d865797a18358881d7a6.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.6.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, and TensorFlow 2.3.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.
For more information
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Attribution
This vulnerability has been reported by members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/2e0ee46f1a47675152d3d865797a18358881d7a6
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-w74j-v8xh-3w5h
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37667
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-580.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-778.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-289.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-824- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 12.08.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-289 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-580 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-778 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-w74j-v8xh-3w5h - 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 nullptr in unicode encoding this entry
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