High

Arbitrary code execution due to YAML deserialization

  • Disclosed: 12.08.2021
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 13:19

Impact

TensorFlow and Keras can be tricked to perform arbitrary code execution when deserializing a Keras model from YAML format.

python
from tensorflow.keras import models

payload = '''
!!python/object/new:type
args: ['z', !!python/tuple [], {'extend': !!python/name:exec }]
listitems: "__import__('os').system('cat /etc/passwd')"
'''
  
models.model_from_yaml(payload)

The implementation uses yaml.unsafe_load which can perform arbitrary code execution on the input.

Patches

Given that YAML format support requires a significant amount of work, we have removed it for now.

We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 23d6383eb6c14084a8fc3bdf164043b974818012.

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

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 Arjun Shibu.

Affected software

Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.

PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed 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

CVSS score 9.3/10
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness (CWE)
CWE-502
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-2021-300 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-591 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-789 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-r6jx-9g48-2r5r - 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. Arbitrary code execution due to YAML deserialization this entry
    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. 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
  96. High · 9.1 CVE-2020-26269 >= 2.4.0rc0, < 2.4.0 2.4.0
  97. High · 5.9 CVE-2020-15265 < 2.4.0 2.4.0
  98. Critical · 8.1 CVE-2020-15214 >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.1, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.1 2.2.1, 2.3.1
Show more (17) Showing 100 of 117

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