Heap OOB in nested `tf.map_fn` with `RaggedTensor`s
Impact
It is possible to nest a tf.map_fn within another tf.map_fn call. However, if the input tensor is a RaggedTensor and there is no function signature provided, code assumes the output is a fully specified tensor and fills output buffer with uninitialized contents from the heap:
import tensorflow as tf
x = tf.ragged.constant([[1,2,3], [4,5], [6]])
t = tf.map_fn(lambda r: tf.map_fn(lambda y: r, r), x)
z = tf.ragged.constant([[[1,2,3],[1,2,3],[1,2,3]],[[4,5],[4,5]],[[6]]])
The t and z outputs should be identical, however this is not the case. The last row of t contains data from the heap which can be used to leak other memory information.
The bug lies in the conversion from a Variant tensor to a RaggedTensor. The implementation does not check that all inner shapes match and this results in the additional dimensions in the above example.
The same implementation can result in data loss, if input tensor is tweaked:
import tensorflow as tf
x = tf.ragged.constant([[1,2], [3,4,5], [6]])
t = tf.map_fn(lambda r: tf.map_fn(lambda y: r, r), x)
Here, the output tensor will only have 2 elements for each inner dimension.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 4e2565483d0ffcadc719bd44893fb7f609bb5f12.
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 Haris Sahovic.
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/security/advisories/GHSA-g8wg-cjwc-xhhp
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/4e2565483d0ffcadc719bd44893fb7f609bb5f12
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37679
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-592.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-790.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-301.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:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-125, CWE-681- 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-2021-301 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-592 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-790 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-g8wg-cjwc-xhhp - 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 in nested `tf.map_fn` with `RaggedTensor`s this entry
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