Segmentation faultin TensorFlow when converting a Python string to `tf.float16`
Low5.0CVE-2020-5215 · Published Jan 28, 2020 · updated Sep 10, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | < 1.15.2 | 1.15.2 |
| >= 2.0.0, < 2.0.1 | 2.0.1 |
Details and references
### Impact Converting a string (from Python) to a `tf.float16` value results in a segmentation fault in eager mode as the format checks for this use case are only in the graph mode. This issue can lead to denial of service in inference/training where a malicious attacker can send a data point which contains a string instead of a `tf.float16` value. Similar effects can be obtained by manipulating saved models and checkpoints whereby replacing a scalar `tf.float16` value with a scalar string will trigger this issue due to automatic conversions. This can be easily reproduced by `tf.constant("hello", tf.float16)`, if eager execution is enabled. ### Patches We have patched the vulnerability in GitHub commit [5ac1b9](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5ac1b9e24ff6afc465756edf845d2e9660bd34bf). We are additionally releasing TensorFlow 1.15.1 and 2.0.1 with this vulnerability patched. TensorFlow 2.1.0 was released after we fixed the issue, thus it is not affected. We encourage users to switch to TensorFlow 1.15.1, 2.0.1 or 2.1.0. ### For more information Please consult [`SECURITY.md`](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.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-754
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2020-5215, CVE-2020-5215, PYSEC-2020-258, PYSEC-2020-303, PYSEC-2020-338
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-977j-xj7q-2jr9
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-5215
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5ac1b9e24ff6afc465756edf845d2e9660bd34bf
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2020-303.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2020-338.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2020-258.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v1.15.2
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.0.1
More TensorFlow advisories
All TensorFlow| Date | Advisory | Severity | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 162019 | Heap buffer overflow in `UnsortedSegmentSum` in TensorFlow CVE-2019-16778Low2.6fixed in 1.15.0 | Low2.6 | 1.15.0 |
| May 132020 | Out-of-bounds read in TensorFlow possibly causing disclosure of the contents of process memory. CVE-2018-21233High6.5fixed in 1.7.0 | High6.5 | 1.7.0 |
| Sep 252020 | Segfault in Tensorflow CVE-2020-15190Medium5.3fixed in 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1 | Medium5.3 | 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1 |
| Sep 252020 | Memory leak in Tensorflow CVE-2020-15192Medium4.3fixed in 2.2.1, 2.3.1 | Medium4.3 | 2.2.1, 2.3.1 |
| Sep 252020 | Denial of Service in Tensorflow CVE-2020-15194Medium5.3fixed in 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1 | Medium5.3 | 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1 |
| Sep 252020 | Heap buffer overflow in Tensorflow CVE-2020-15196Medium8.5fixed in 2.3.1 | Medium8.5 | 2.3.1 |