AVID-2026-R0735

Description

CHECK-fail in AddManySparseToTensorsMap (CVE-2021-29523)

Details

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. An attacker can trigger a denial of service via a CHECK-fail in tf.raw_ops.AddManySparseToTensorsMap. This is because the implementation(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_tensors_map_ops.cc#L257) takes the values specified in sparse_shape as dimensions for the output shape. The TensorShape constructor(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor_shape.cc#L183-L188) uses a CHECK operation which triggers when InitDims(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/6f9896890c4c703ae0a0845394086e2e1e523299/tensorflow/core/framework/tensor_shape.cc#L212-L296) returns a non-OK status. This is a legacy implementation of the constructor and operations should use BuildTensorShapeBase or AddDimWithStatus to prevent CHECK-failures in the presence of overflows. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

Reason for inclusion in AVID: The CVE describes a vulnerability in TensorFlow (an AI/ML framework) where a CHECK-fail due to potential integer overflow in AddManySparseToTensorsMap can cause a denial of service. TensorFlow is a core software component used to build/train/deploy AI systems; the issue affects multiple TensorFlow versions and has a fixed update, indicating a software supply chain impact on AI workloads. This is a security vulnerability (CWE-190) with identifiable impact and remediation. Sufficient evidence is provided in the report (references to the CVE, commit, and advisories).

References

Affected or Relevant Artifacts

Developer: tensorflow
Deployer: tensorflow
Artifact Details:

Type	Name
System	tensorflow

Impact

AVID Taxonomy Categorization

Risk domains: Security
SEP subcategories: S0100: Software Vulnerability
Lifecycle stages: L06: Deployment

CVSS

Version	3.1
Vector String	CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
Base Score	2.5
Base Severity	🟢 Low
Attack Vector	LOCAL
Attack Complexity	🔴 High
Privileges Required	🟢 Low
User Interaction	NONE
Scope	UNCHANGED
Confidentiality Impact	NONE
Integrity Impact	NONE
Availability Impact	🟢 Low

CWE

ID	Description
CWE-190	CWE-190: Integer Overflow or Wraparound

Other information

Report Type: Advisory
Credits:
Date Reported: 2021-05-14
Version: 0.3.3
AVID Entry