CVE-2021-29617: Denial of Service in TensorFlow
Summary
CVE-2021-29617: TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Affects tensorflow across 5 version ranges.
>= 2.2.0, < 2.3.0rc0
< 2.2.0rc0
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
< 890f7164b70354c57d40eda52dcdd7658677c09f
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-2021-29617 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 end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and community resources that enable researchers and developers to build and deploy machine learning models. TensorFlow is widely used in various industries and applications, including image recognition, natural language processing, and recommendation systems. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in TensorFlow that can lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in TensorFlow exists in the tf.strings.substr function when provided with invalid arguments. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability to cause a DoS condition in the affected system. The issue arises due to a CHECK-fail in the function, which fails to handle invalid arguments properly. This vulnerability can be triggered remotely by an attacker with the ability to provide malicious input to the vulnerable function. The impact of this vulnerability can result in the unavailability of the TensorFlow service, leading to disruption of machine learning processes and potential financial losses for organizations relying on TensorFlow for their operations.
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.
-
< 2.2.0rc02.2.0rc0pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.2.0rc0" -
>= 2.2.0, < 2.3.0rc02.3.0rc0pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.3.0rc0" -
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.42.3.4pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.3.4" -
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.32.4.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.4.3"
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no specific workaround available for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the provided fix by updating TensorFlow to the latest version.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in TensorFlow can lead to a denial of service condition, potentially disrupting machine learning processes. It is crucial to update TensorFlow to the latest version or apply the provided patches to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow →
FAQ
TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning that provides a comprehensive set of tools and libraries for building and deploying machine learning models.
The vulnerability can lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition in TensorFlow, resulting in the unavailability of the service and potential disruption of machine learning processes.
To fix this vulnerability, update TensorFlow to version 2.5.0 or later. Alternatively, you can apply the provided patches for earlier versions within the supported range.
No specific workarounds are available for this vulnerability. It is recommended to update TensorFlow to the latest version.
Yes, this vulnerability can be exploited remotely by an attacker with the ability to provide malicious input to the vulnerable function.
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