Heap out of bounds write in `RaggedBinCount`
Low2.5CVE-2021-29514 · Published May 21, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 |
| >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
Details and references
### Impact If the `splits` argument of `RaggedBincount` does not specify a valid [`SparseTensor`](https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.RaggedBincount(splits=[7,8], values= [5, 16, 51, 76, 29, 27, 54, 95],\ size= 59, weights= [0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0],\ binary_output=False) ``` This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the `splits` tensor buffer in the [implementation of the `RaggedBincount` op](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L446): ```cc for (int idx = 0; idx < num_values; ++idx) { while (idx >= splits(batch_idx)) { batch_idx++; } ... if (bin < size) { if (binary_output_) { out(batch_idx - 1, bin) = T(1); } else { T value = (weights_size > 0) ? weights(idx) : T(1); out(batch_idx - 1, bin) += value; } } } ``` Before the `for` loop, `batch_idx` is set to 0. The attacker sets `splits(0)` to be 7, hence the `while` loop does not execute and `batch_idx` remains 0. This then results in writing to `out(-1, bin)`, which is before the heap allocated buffer for the output tensor. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [eebb96c2830d48597d055d247c0e9aebaea94cd5](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/eebb96c2830d48597d055d247c0e9aebaea94cd5). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected. ### 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 members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-787
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-29514, CVE-2021-29514, PYSEC-2021-151, PYSEC-2021-442, PYSEC-2021-640
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-8h46-5m9h-7553
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29514
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/eebb96c2830d48597d055d247c0e9aebaea94cd5
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-442.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-640.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-151.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
More TensorFlow advisories
All TensorFlow| Date | Advisory | Severity | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 |
| May 212021 | Session operations in eager mode lead to null pointer dereferences CVE-2021-29518Low2.5fixed 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 |