CVE-2020-5215

Segmentation faultin TensorFlow when converting a Python string to tf.float16

HIGH
7.5
CVSS Score
Published: January 28, 2020 at 09:20 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 03:21 AM UTC
2 products affected across 2 vendorsTensorflowTensorFlow

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Severity
HIGH7.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.6%

Description

In TensorFlow before 1.15.2 and 2.0.1, converting a string (from Python) to a tf.float16 value results in a segmentation fault in eager mode as the format checks for this use case are only in the graph mode. This issue can lead to denial of service in inference/training where a malicious attacker can send a data point which contains a string instead of a tf.float16 value. Similar effects can be obtained by manipulating saved models and checkpoints whereby replacing a scalar tf.float16 value with a scalar string will trigger this issue due to automatic conversions. This can be easily reproduced by tf.constant("hello", tf.float16), if eager execution is enabled. This issue is patched in TensorFlow 1.15.1 and 2.0.1 with this vulnerability patched. TensorFlow 2.1.0 was released after we fixed the issue, thus it is not affected. Users are encouraged to switch to TensorFlow 1.15.1, 2.0.1 or 2.1.0.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 1.15.22.0.0 ≤ v < 2.0.1
Affected range stops below 1.15.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 2.0.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
v < 1.15.2= 2.0.0
Affected range stops below 1.15.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

CVSS

Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
NONE
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-754CWE-20

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