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Severe, 6 weeks1496Projects326

1496 severe, 6 weeks · 326 projects

TensorFlowGHSA-xvjm-fvxx-q3hv

CHECK-fail due to integer overflow

TensorFlow

CVE-2021-29584 · Published May 21, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026

Low2.5
Fix: upgrade to 2.1.4 or later (4 fixed versions below)
GitHub advisory

Impact

An attacker can trigger a denial of service via a CHECK-fail in caused by an integer overflow in constructing a new tensor shape:

```python

import tensorflow as tf

input_layer = 2**60-1

sparse_data = tf.raw_ops.SparseSplit(

split_dim=1,

indices=[(0, 0), (0, 1), (0, 2),

(4, 3), (5, 0), (5, 1)],

values=[1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0],

shape=(input_layer, input_layer),

num_split=2,

name=None

)

`

This is because the [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/0908c2f2397c099338b901b067f6495a5b96760b/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_split_op.cc#L66-L70) builds a dense shape without checking that the dimensions would not result in overflow:

```cc

sparse::SparseTensor sparse_tensor;

OP_REQUIRES_OK(context,

sparse::SparseTensor::Create(

input_indices, input_values,

TensorShape(input_shape.vec<int64>()), &sparse_tensor));

`

The [TensorShape constructor](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor_shape.cc#L183-L188) uses a CHECK operation which triggers when [InitDims](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor_shape.cc#L212-L296) returns a non-OK status.

```cc

template <class Shape>...

Affected versions

PackageAffectedFixed in
tensorflow
PyPI
< 2.1.42.1.4
>= 2.2.0, < 2.2.32.2.3
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.32.3.3
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.22.4.2
Details and references

### Impact An attacker can trigger a denial of service via a `CHECK`-fail in caused by an integer overflow in constructing a new tensor shape: ```python import tensorflow as tf input_layer = 2**60-1 sparse_data = tf.raw_ops.SparseSplit( split_dim=1, indices=[(0, 0), (0, 1), (0, 2), (4, 3), (5, 0), (5, 1)], values=[1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0], shape=(input_layer, input_layer), num_split=2, name=None ) ``` This is because the [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/0908c2f2397c099338b901b067f6495a5b96760b/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_split_op.cc#L66-L70) builds a dense shape without checking that the dimensions would not result in overflow: ```cc sparse::SparseTensor sparse_tensor; OP_REQUIRES_OK(context, sparse::SparseTensor::Create( input_indices, input_values, TensorShape(input_shape.vec<int64>()), &sparse_tensor)); ``` The [`TensorShape` constructor](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor_shape.cc#L183-L188) uses a `CHECK` operation which triggers when [`InitDims`](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor_shape.cc#L212-L296) returns a non-OK status. ```cc template <class Shape> TensorShapeBase<Shape>::TensorShapeBase(gtl::ArraySlice<int64> dim_sizes) { set_tag(REP16); set_data_type(DT_INVALID); TF_CHECK_OK(InitDims(dim_sizes)); } ``` In our scenario, this occurs when adding a dimension from the argument results in overflow: ```cc template <class Shape> Status TensorShapeBase<Shape>::InitDims(gtl::ArraySlice<int64> dim_sizes) { ... Status status = Status::OK(); for (int64 s : dim_sizes) { status.Update(AddDimWithStatus(internal::SubtleMustCopy(s))); if (!status.ok()) { return status; } } } template <class Shape> Status TensorShapeBase<Shape>::AddDimWithStatus(int64 size) { ... int64 new_num_elements; if (kIsPartial && (num_elements() < 0 || size < 0)) { new_num_elements = -1; } else { new_num_elements = MultiplyWithoutOverflow(num_elements(), size); if (TF_PREDICT_FALSE(new_num_elements < 0)) { return errors::Internal("Encountered overflow when multiplying ", num_elements(), " with ", size, ", result: ", new_num_elements); } } ... } ``` This is a legacy implementation of the constructor and operations should use `BuildTensorShapeBase` or `AddDimWithStatus` to prevent `CHECK`-failures in the presence of overflows. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [4c0ee937c0f61c4fc5f5d32d9bb4c67428012a60](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/4c0ee937c0f61c4fc5f5d32d9bb4c67428012a60). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit 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 researchers from University of Virginia and University of California, Santa Barbara.

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-190
Also known as
BIT-tensorflow-2021-29584, CVE-2021-29584, PYSEC-2021-221, PYSEC-2021-512, PYSEC-2021-710

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