GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv is a low-severity (CVSS 3.6) CWE-120 vulnerability in tensorflow. 1 public exploit reference exists, so weaponization risk is real. O3 Security confirms whether GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv is actually reachable in your code before you act, and blocks exploitation at runtime until you patch.
Heap buffer overflow in `BandedTriangularSolve`
Real-World Exposure
tensorflow🐍tensorflow🐍tensorflow🐍tensorflow🐍tensorflow-cpu🐍tensorflow-cpu🐍tensorflow-cpu🐍tensorflow-cpu+4 moreReal-time download stats are indexed for npm and PyPI packages. This vulnerability affects PyPI packages — download data is not available via public APIs for these ecosystems.
Description
Impact
An attacker can trigger a heap buffer overflow in Eigen implementation of tf.raw_ops.BandedTriangularSolve:
import tensorflow as tf
import numpy as np
matrix_array = np.array([])
matrix_tensor = tf.convert_to_tensor(np.reshape(matrix_array,(0,1)),dtype=tf.float32)
rhs_array = np.array([1,1])
rhs_tensor = tf.convert_to_tensor(np.reshape(rhs_array,(1,2)),dtype=tf.float32)
tf.raw_ops.BandedTriangularSolve(matrix=matrix_tensor,rhs=rhs_tensor)
The implementation calls ValidateInputTensors for input validation but fails to validate that the two tensors are not empty:
void ValidateInputTensors(OpKernelContext* ctx, const Tensor& in0, const Tensor& in1) {
OP_REQUIRES(
ctx, in0.dims() >= 2,
errors::InvalidArgument("In[0] ndims must be >= 2: ", in0.dims()));
OP_REQUIRES(
ctx, in1.dims() >= 2,
errors::InvalidArgument("In[1] ndims must be >= 2: ", in1.dims()));
}
Furthermore, since OP_REQUIRES macro only stops execution of current function after setting ctx->status() to a non-OK value, callers of helper functions that use OP_REQUIRES must check value of ctx->status() before continuing. This doesn't happen in this op's implementation, hence the validation that is present is also not effective.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit ba6822bd7b7324ba201a28b2f278c29a98edbef2 followed by GitHub commit 0ab290774f91a23bebe30a358fde4e53ab4876a0.
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.
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 Ye Zhang and Yakun Zhang of Baidu X-Team.
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🐍PyPI | tensorflow | all versions | 2.1.4 |
| 🐍PyPI | tensorflow | ≥ 2.2.0&&< 2.2.3 | 2.2.3 |
| 🐍PyPI | tensorflow | ≥ 2.3.0&&< 2.3.3 | 2.3.3 |
| 🐍PyPI | tensorflow | ≥ 2.4.0&&< 2.4.2 | 2.4.2 |
| 🐍PyPI | tensorflow-cpu | all versions | 2.1.4 |
| 🐍PyPI | tensorflow-cpu | ≥ 2.2.0&&< 2.2.3 | 2.2.3 |
Research use only. For defensive security, authorized penetration testing, and academic research only. Never execute exploit code against systems without explicit written authorization.
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for tensorflow. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update tensorflow to 2.1.4 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv in your dependencies?
O3 detects GHSA-2xgj-xhgf-ggjv across PyPI dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.