CVE-2021-29584: Integer Overflow Vulnerability in TensorFlow
Summary
CVE-2021-29584: CHECK-fail due to integer overflow. Affects tensorflow across 4 version ranges.
< 2.1.4
>= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2
Fixed in 4 releases; the minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- tensorflow · Bitnami
- tensorflow-cpu · PyPI
- tensorflow-gpu · PyPI
The same CVE-2021-29584 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
TensorFlow is an open-source machine learning framework developed by Google. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and resources for building and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow is widely used in various domains, including research, industry, and academia. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in TensorFlow that could potentially lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2021-29584, is caused by an integer overflow in the construction of a new tensor shape. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by providing malicious input to trigger a CHECK-fail in TensorFlow. The issue arises when constructing a new tensor shape with dimensions that result in an integer overflow. The implementation of the constructor in TensorFlow does not check for overflow, leading to a CHECK-failure. This vulnerability can be exploited to cause a DoS attack.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.21.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.21.0"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 2.1.42.1.4pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.1.4" -
>= 2.2.0, < 2.2.32.2.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.2.3" -
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.32.3.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.3.3" -
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.22.4.2pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.4.2"
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the patch or upgrade to the latest version of TensorFlow as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CVE-2021-29584 vulnerability in TensorFlow poses a risk of a denial of service (DoS) attack. It is crucial to apply the provided patch or upgrade to the latest version of TensorFlow (2.5.0 or later) to mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow →
FAQ
This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) attack. By providing malicious input, the attacker can cause a CHECK-fail in TensorFlow, leading to a DoS condition.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities, using just the Pipfile.lock file.
There is no known exploit for this vulnerability at the moment. However, it is important to apply the patch or upgrade to the latest version of TensorFlow to prevent any potential exploitation.
Yes, several versions of TensorFlow are affected by this vulnerability. The impacted versions include TensorFlow 2.1.4, TensorFlow 2.2.3, TensorFlow 2.3.3, and TensorFlow 2.4.2. It is recommended to upgrade to TensorFlow 2.5.0 or later to mitigate the risk.
This vulnerability was discovered by researchers from the University of Virginia and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
References
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