CVE-2021-37679

Heap OOB in nested `tf.map_fn` with `RaggedTensor`s in TensorFlow

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: August 12, 2021 at 10:20 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 04:00 AM UTC
2 products affected across 2 vendorsTensorflowTensorFlow

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.2%

Description

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. In affected versions it is possible to nest a `tf.map_fn` within another `tf.map_fn` call. However, if the input tensor is a `RaggedTensor` and there is no function signature provided, code assumes the output is a fully specified tensor and fills output buffer with uninitialized contents from the heap. The `t` and `z` outputs should be identical, however this is not the case. The last row of `t` contains data from the heap which can be used to leak other memory information. The bug lies in the conversion from a `Variant` tensor to a `RaggedTensor`. The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/460e000de3a83278fb00b61a16d161b1964f15f4/tensorflow/core/kernels/ragged_tensor_from_variant_op.cc#L177-L190) does not check that all inner shapes match and this results in the additional dimensions. The same implementation can result in data loss, if input tensor is tweaked. We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 4e2565483d0ffcadc719bd44893fb7f609bb5f12. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.6.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, and TensorFlow 2.3.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

Affected

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

2.3.0 ≤ v < 2.3.42.4.0 ≤ v < 2.4.32.5.02.6.0 rc02.6.0 rc12.6.0 rc2
Affected range stops below 2.3.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 2.4.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
v < 2.3.4v < 2.4.3v < 2.5.1
Affected range stops below 2.3.4, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 2.4.3, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 2.5.1, 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
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-125CWE-681

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