Insecure temporary file in Tensorflow
High7.1CVE-2022-23563 · Published Feb 9, 2022 · updated Jul 13, 2026
### Impact In multiple places, TensorFlow uses `tempfile.mktemp` to create temporary files. While this is acceptable in testing, in utilities and libraries it is dangerous as a different process can create the file between the check for the filename in `mktemp` and the actual creation of the file by a subsequent operation (a TOC/TOU type of weakness). In several instances, TensorFlow was supposed to actually create a temporary directory instead of a file. This logic bug is hidden away by the `mktemp` function usage. ### Patches We have patched the issue in several commits, replacing `mktemp` with the safer `mkstemp`/`mkdtemp` functions, according to the usage pattern. 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 on huntr.dev for one scenario and discov...
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 In multiple places, TensorFlow uses `tempfile.mktemp` to create temporary files. While this is acceptable in testing, in utilities and libraries it is dangerous as a different process can create the file between the check for the filename in `mktemp` and the actual creation of the file by a subsequent operation (a TOC/TOU type of weakness). In several instances, TensorFlow was supposed to actually create a temporary directory instead of a file. This logic bug is hidden away by the `mktemp` function usage. ### Patches We have patched the issue in several commits, replacing `mktemp` with the safer `mkstemp`/`mkdtemp` functions, according to the usage pattern. 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 on huntr.dev for one scenario and discovered via variant analysis on other instances.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-367, CWE-668
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2022-23563, CVE-2022-23563, PYSEC-2022-127, PYSEC-2022-72, PYSEC-2026-3253
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-wc4g-r73w-x8mm
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-23563
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2022-72.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2022-127.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
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|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 92022 | Use after free in `DecodePng` kernel | High7.6 | 2.5.3+2 more |
| Feb 92022 | Out of bounds write in Tensorflow | High8.8 | 2.5.3+2 more |
| Feb 92022 | Reachable Assertion in Tensorflow | High6.5 | 2.5.3+2 more |
| Feb 92022 | Integer overflow in Tensorflow | High7.6 | 2.5.3+2 more |
| Feb 92022 | Out of bounds write in TFLite | High8.8 | 2.5.3+2 more |
| Feb 92022 | Read and Write outside of bounds in TensorFlow | High8.8 | 2.5.3+2 more |