CVE-2021-41205Public exploit

Heap data disclosure via unchecked negative axis

Published Nov 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Out-of-bounds read in TensorFlow before 2.4.4, 2.5.0 through 2.5.1, and 2.6.0 allows local users to read heap data. The shape functions in tensorflow/core/ops/array_ops.cc pass an axis below -1 to the input-dimension lookup instead of rejecting it. Execution of a graph containing a QuantizeAndDequantizeV2, V3, V4, or V4Grad operation with a crafted negative axis is required; the resulting heap read can disclose process memory or interrupt the process.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.15%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds read in TensorFlow before 2.4.4, 2.5.0 through 2.5.1, and 2.6.0 allows local users to read heap data. The shape functions in tensorflow/core/ops/array_ops.cc pass an axis below -1 to the input-dimension lookup instead of rejecting it. Execution of a graph containing a QuantizeAndDequantizeV2, V3, V4, or V4Grad operation with a crafted negative axis is required; the resulting heap read can disclose process memory or interrupt the process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41205
Published
Nov 5, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Google
Product
TensorFlow
Classifications
CWE-125
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 5, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< 2.4.4
  2. Affected versionversion=>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2
  3. Affected versionversion=>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Google · TensorFlowversion=< 2.4.4; version=>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2; version=>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1

Published CVSS scores

7.1GitLab Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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