Memory exhaustion in Tensorflow
Impact
The implementation of ThreadPoolHandle can be used to trigger a denial of service attack by allocating too much memory:
import tensorflow as tf
y = tf.raw_ops.ThreadPoolHandle(num_threads=0x60000000,display_name='tf')This is because the num_threads argument is only checked to not be negative, but there is no upper bound on its value.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit e3749a6d5d1e8d11806d4a2e9cc3123d1a90b75e.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.8.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.7.1, TensorFlow 2.6.3, and TensorFlow 2.5.3, 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 Yu Tian of Qihoo 360 AIVul Team.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3, >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/e3749a6d5d1e8d11806d4a2e9cc3123d1a90b75e
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-c582-c96p-r5cq
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/kernels/data/experimental/threadpool_dataset_op.cc#L79-L135
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-21732
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2022-56.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2022-111.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- https://pypi.org/project/tensorflow
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-c582-c96p-r5cq
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-400, CWE-770- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 03.02.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2022-56 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2022-111 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-3158 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-c582-c96p-r5cq - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow
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
- 433
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 112
- Medium 210
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 169
- 2023: 21
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
Memory exhaustion in Tensorflow this entry
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