`CHECK`-fails due to attempting to build a reference tensor
Impact
A malicious user can cause a denial of service by altering a SavedModel such that Grappler optimizer would attempt to build a tensor using a reference dtype. This would result in a crash due to a CHECK-fail in the Tensor constructor as reference types are not allowed.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 6b5adc0877de832b2a7c189532dbbbc64622eeb6. 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
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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 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-fx5c-h9f6-rv7c
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23588
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/6b5adc0877de832b2a7c189532dbbbc64622eeb6
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2022-97.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2022-152.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/a1320ec1eac186da1d03f033109191f715b2b130/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor.cc#L733-L781
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/a1320ec1eac186da1d03f033109191f715b2b130/tensorflow/core/grappler/optimizers/constant_folding.cc#L1328-L1402
- https://pypi.org/project/tensorflow
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-fx5c-h9f6-rv7c
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-617- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 04.02.2022
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 14:18
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2022-97 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2022-152 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-fx5c-h9f6-rv7c - CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-3181 - PyPA Advisory Database; 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
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`CHECK`-fails due to attempting to build a reference tensor this entry
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