Type confusion leading to segfault in Tensorflow
High6.5CVE-2022-21731 · Published Feb 10, 2022 · updated Sep 10, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | < 2.5.3 | 2.5.3 |
| >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3 | 2.6.3 | |
| >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1 | 2.7.1 |
Details and references
### Impact The [implementation of shape inference for `ConcatV2`](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/framework/common_shape_fns.cc#L1961-L2059) can be used to trigger a denial of service attack via a segfault caused by a type confusion: ```python import tensorflow as tf @tf.function def test(): y = tf.raw_ops.ConcatV2( values=[[1,2,3],[4,5,6]], axis = 0xb500005b) return y test() ``` The `axis` argument is translated into `concat_dim` in the `ConcatShapeHelper` helper function. Then, a value for `min_rank` is computed based on `concat_dim`. This is then used to validate that the `values` tensor has at least the required rank: ```cc int64_t concat_dim; if (concat_dim_t->dtype() == DT_INT32) { concat_dim = static_cast<int64_t>(concat_dim_t->flat<int32>()(0)); } else { concat_dim = concat_dim_t->flat<int64_t>()(0); } // Minimum required number of dimensions. const int min_rank = concat_dim < 0 ? -concat_dim : concat_dim + 1; // ... ShapeHandle input = c->input(end_value_index - 1); TF_RETURN_IF_ERROR(c->WithRankAtLeast(input, min_rank, &input)); ``` However, [`WithRankAtLeast`](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference.cc#L345-L358) receives the lower bound as a 64-bits value and then compares it against the maximum 32-bits integer value that could be represented: ```cc Status InferenceContext::WithRankAtLeast(ShapeHandle shape, int64_t rank, ShapeHandle* out) { if (rank > kint32max) { return errors::InvalidArgument("Rank cannot exceed kint32max"); } // ... } ``` Due to the fact that `min_rank` is a 32-bits value and the value of `axis`, the `rank` argument is a [negative value](https://godbolt.org/z/Gcr5haMob), so the error check is bypassed. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [08d7b00c0a5a20926363849f611729f53f3ec022](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/08d7b00c0a5a20926363849f611729f53f3ec022). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.8.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.7.1, TensorFlow 2.6.3, and TensorFlow 2.5.3, 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 Yu Tian of Qihoo 360 AIVul Team.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-754, CWE-843
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2022-21731, CVE-2022-21731, PYSEC-2022-110, PYSEC-2022-55, PYSEC-2026-3211
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-m4hf-j54p-p353
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-21731
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/08d7b00c0a5a20926363849f611729f53f3ec022
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2022-55.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2022-110.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/framework/common_shape_fns.cc#L1961-L2059
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/framework/shape_inference.cc#L345-L358
More TensorFlow advisories
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|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 92022 | Use after free in `DecodePng` kernel CVE-2022-23584High7.6fixed in 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 | High7.6 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |
| Feb 92022 | Out of bounds write in Tensorflow CVE-2022-23566High8.8fixed in 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 | High8.8 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |
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| Feb 92022 | Integer overflow in Tensorflow CVE-2022-23562High7.6fixed in 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 | High7.6 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |
| Feb 92022 | Out of bounds write in TFLite CVE-2022-23561High8.8fixed in 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 | High8.8 | 2.5.3, 2.6.3, 2.7.1 |