CVE-2021-29512
Heap buffer overflow in `RaggedBinCount`
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- Low
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
2.5
Heap buffer overflow in `RaggedBinCount`
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
CVE-2021-29512- CVSS 3.1
- 2.5 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-120
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-0253
2.5
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
EUVD-2021-0253- CVSS 3.1
- 2.5 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-4278-2v5v-65r4
1.0
Heap buffer overflow in `RaggedBinCount`
Impact
If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor, then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow:
import tensorflow as tf
tf.raw_ops.RaggedBincount(splits=[0], values=[1,1,1,1,1], size=5, weights=[1,2,3,4], binary_output=False)
This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op:
for (int idx = 0; idx < num_values; ++idx) {
while (idx >= splits(batch_idx)) {
batch_idx++;
}
...
}
Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit eebb96c2830d48597d055d247c0e9aebaea94cd5.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
For more information
Please consult our security guide for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.
Attribution
This vulnerability has been reported by members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.
- Record
GHSA-4278-2v5v-65r4- CVSS 4.0
- 1.0 Low
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 2.5 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-120, CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
2.5
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
CVE-2021-29512- CVSS 3.1
- 2.5 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L - CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 4.6 Medium
AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-120, CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.8
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
CVE-2021-29512- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-4278-2v5v-65r4
1.0
Heap buffer overflow in `RaggedBinCount`
Impact
If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor, then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow:
import tensorflow as tf
tf.raw_ops.RaggedBincount(splits=[0], values=[1,1,1,1,1], size=5, weights=[1,2,3,4], binary_output=False)
This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op:
for (int idx = 0; idx < num_values; ++idx) {
while (idx >= splits(batch_idx)) {
batch_idx++;
}
...
}
Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit eebb96c2830d48597d055d247c0e9aebaea94cd5.
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
For more information
Please consult our security guide for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.
Attribution
This vulnerability has been reported by members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.
- Record
GHSA-4278-2v5v-65r4- CVSS 4.0
- 1.0 Low
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:P/VC:N/VI:N/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N - CVSS 3.1
- 2.5 Low
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-120, CWE-787
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 4 moreShow less
OSVBIT-tensorflow-2021-29512 No score
Heap buffer overflow in `RaggedBinCount`
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
BIT-tensorflow-2021-29512- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVPYSEC-2021-149 No score
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
PYSEC-2021-149- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVPYSEC-2021-440 No score
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
PYSEC-2021-440- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVPYSEC-2021-638 No score
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. If the splits argument of RaggedBincount does not specify a valid SparseTensor(https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/sparse/SparseTensor), then an attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow. This will cause a read from outside the bounds of the splits tensor buffer in the implementation of the RaggedBincount op(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8b677d79167799f71c42fd3fa074476e0295413a/tensorflow/core/kernels/bincount_op.cc#L430-L433). Before the for loop, batch_idx is set to 0. The user controls the splits array, making it contain only one element, 0. Thus, the code in the while loop would increment batch_idx and then try to read splits(1), which is outside of bounds. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2 and TensorFlow 2.3.3, as these are also affected.
- Record
PYSEC-2021-638- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
tensorflowPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 |
tensorflowPyPI |
2.4.0 up to 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
tensorflow-cpuPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 |
tensorflow-cpuPyPI |
2.4.0 up to 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
tensorflow-gpuPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 |
tensorflow-gpuPyPI |
2.4.0 up to 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
tensorflowBitnami |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, 2.4.0 up to 2.4.2 | 2.3.32.4.2 |
tensorflowPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, plus listed versions 2.3.12.3.2 |
2.3.3 |
tensorflowPyPI |
2.4.0 up to 2.4.2, plus listed versions 2.4.1 |
2.4.2 |
tensorflow-cpuPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, plus listed versions 2.3.12.3.2 |
2.3.3 |
Show 6 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
tensorflow-cpuPyPI |
2.4.0 up to 2.4.2, plus listed versions 2.4.1 |
2.4.2 |
tensorflow-gpuPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, plus listed versions 2.3.12.3.2 |
2.3.3 |
tensorflow-gpuPyPI |
2.4.0 up to 2.4.2, plus listed versions 2.4.1 |
2.4.2 |
tensorflowPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, 2.4.0 up to 2.4.2, plus listed versions 2.3.12.3.22.4.1 |
2.3.32.4.2 |
tensorflow-cpuPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, 2.4.0 up to 2.4.2, plus listed versions 2.3.12.3.22.4.1 |
2.3.32.4.2 |
tensorflow-gpuPyPI |
2.3.0 up to 2.3.3, 2.4.0 up to 2.4.2, plus listed versions 2.3.12.3.22.4.1 |
2.3.32.4.2 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2021-29512 is a low vulnerability (CVSS 2.5) in Google Tensorflow, published May 14, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.21%, the 11th percentile. Fixed in tensorflow 2.3.3.
References
github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-4278-2v5v-65r4
github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/eebb96c2830d48597d055d247c0e9aebaea94cd5
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-29512
github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-440.yaml
github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-638.yaml
github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-149.yaml
github.com/advisories/GHSA-4278-2v5v-65r4