CVE-2021-41228

Local code execution via evaluated CLI expressions

Published Nov 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Code injection in Google TensorFlow before 2.4.4, 2.5.0 through 2.5.1, and 2.6.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. The saved_model_cli input-example parser passes each user-supplied expression to Python eval instead of restricting it to literals. Exploitation requires a manual CLI invocation with attacker-controlled input and runs code with the privileges of the user launching the tool.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code injection in Google TensorFlow before 2.4.4, 2.5.0 through 2.5.1, and 2.6.0 allows local users to execute arbitrary code. The saved_model_cli input-example parser passes each user-supplied expression to Python eval instead of restricting it to literals. Exploitation requires a manual CLI invocation with attacker-controlled input and runs code with the privileges of the user launching the tool.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41228
Published
Nov 5, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Google
Product
TensorFlow
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.006
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

7.5GitHub CNACVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.006Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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