Heap buffer overflow in `BandedTriangularSolve`
Low3.6CVE-2021-29612 · Published May 21, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | < 2.1.4 | 2.1.4 |
| >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3 | 2.2.3 | |
| >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 | |
| >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
Details and references
### Impact An attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow in Eigen implementation of `tf.raw_ops.BandedTriangularSolve`: ```python import tensorflow as tf import numpy as np matrix_array = np.array([]) matrix_tensor = tf.convert_to_tensor(np.reshape(matrix_array,(0,1)),dtype=tf.float32) rhs_array = np.array([1,1]) rhs_tensor = tf.convert_to_tensor(np.reshape(rhs_array,(1,2)),dtype=tf.float32) tf.raw_ops.BandedTriangularSolve(matrix=matrix_tensor,rhs=rhs_tensor) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/eccb7ec454e6617738554a255d77f08e60ee0808/tensorflow/core/kernels/linalg/banded_triangular_solve_op.cc#L269-L278) calls `ValidateInputTensors` for input validation but fails to validate that the two tensors are not empty: ```cc void ValidateInputTensors(OpKernelContext* ctx, const Tensor& in0, const Tensor& in1) { OP_REQUIRES( ctx, in0.dims() >= 2, errors::InvalidArgument("In[0] ndims must be >= 2: ", in0.dims())); OP_REQUIRES( ctx, in1.dims() >= 2, errors::InvalidArgument("In[1] ndims must be >= 2: ", in1.dims())); } ``` Furthermore, since `OP_REQUIRES` macro only stops execution of current function after setting `ctx->status()` to a non-OK value, callers of helper functions that use `OP_REQUIRES` must check value of `ctx->status()` before continuing. This doesn't happen [in this op's implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/eccb7ec454e6617738554a255d77f08e60ee0808/tensorflow/core/kernels/linalg/banded_triangular_solve_op.cc#L219), hence the validation that is present is also not effective. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [ba6822bd7b7324ba201a28b2f278c29a98edbef2](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/ba6822bd7b7324ba201a28b2f278c29a98edbef2) followed by GitHub commit [0ab290774f91a23bebe30a358fde4e53ab4876a0](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/0ab290774f91a23bebe30a358fde4e53ab4876a0). 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 Please consult [our security guide](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/master/SECURITY.md) for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions. ### Attribution This vulnerability has been reported by Ye Zhang and Yakun Zhang of Baidu X-Team.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-120, CWE-787
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-29612, CVE-2021-29612, PYSEC-2021-249, PYSEC-2021-540, PYSEC-2021-738
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29612
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/0ab290774f91a23bebe30a358fde4e53ab4876a0
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/ba6822bd7b7324ba201a28b2f278c29a98edbef2
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-540.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-738.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-249.yaml
More TensorFlow advisories
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|---|---|---|---|
| May 212021 | Heap buffer overflow in `RaggedBinCount` CVE-2021-29512Low2.5fixed in 2.3.3, 2.4.2 | Low2.5 | 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| May 212021 | Type confusion during tensor casts lead to dereferencing null pointers CVE-2021-29513Low2.5fixed in 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 | Low2.5 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| May 212021 | Heap out of bounds write in `RaggedBinCount` CVE-2021-29514Low2.5fixed in 2.3.3, 2.4.2 | Low2.5 | 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| May 212021 | Reference binding to null pointer in `MatrixDiag*` ops CVE-2021-29515Low2.5fixed in 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 | Low2.5 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| May 212021 | Null pointer dereference via invalid Ragged Tensors CVE-2021-29516Low2.5fixed in 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 | Low2.5 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |
| May 212021 | Division by zero in `Conv3D` CVE-2021-29517Low2.5fixed in 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 | Low2.5 | 2.1.4, 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2 |