CVE-2020-15203: Tensorflow Denial of Service Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2020-15203 is a HIGH (CVSS 7.5) denial of service vulnerability (CWE-134: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String) affecting Tensorflow libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves denial of service in tensorflow. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1.
CVE-2020-15203 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 7.5
The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2020-15203
To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Tensorflow dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.
pip install tensorflow>=1.15.4
pip install tensorflow>=2.0.3
pip install tensorflow>=2.1.2
pip install tensorflow>=2.2.1
pip install tensorflow>=2.3.1
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=1.15.4
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.0.3
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.1.2
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.2.1
pip install tensorflow-cpu>=2.3.1
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=1.15.4
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.0.3
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.1.2
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.2.1
pip install tensorflow-gpu>=2.3.1
Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
pip show tensorflow
How to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Python environment is affected by CVE-2020-15203, inspect your installed packages using pip:
pip show tensorflow
Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Tensorflow in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 1.15.4), your application is affected.
Note: The pip show tensorflow command checks currently installed packages in your active Python environment.
Technical Details
Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-134: Use of Externally-Controlled Format String, where the product uses a function that accepts a format string as an argument, but the format string originates from an external source. In Tensorflow, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.
Source Advisory Statement
CVE-2020-15203 Affected Tensorflow Versions
15 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
< 1.15.4
|
1.15.4
|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.0.3
|
2.0.3
|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.1.0
< 2.1.2
|
2.1.2
|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.2.0
< 2.2.1
All 1 versions
2.2.0
|
2.2.1
|
|
tensorflow
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.3.0
< 2.3.1
All 1 versions
2.3.0
|
2.3.1
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
< 1.15.4
|
1.15.4
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.0.3
|
2.0.3
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.1.0
< 2.1.2
|
2.1.2
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.2.0
< 2.2.1
All 1 versions
2.2.0
|
2.2.1
|
|
tensorflow-cpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.3.0
< 2.3.1
All 1 versions
2.3.0
|
2.3.1
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
< 1.15.4
|
1.15.4
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.0.0
< 2.0.3
|
2.0.3
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.1.0
< 2.1.2
|
2.1.2
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.2.0
< 2.2.1
All 1 versions
2.2.0
|
2.2.1
|
|
tensorflow-gpu
|
PyPI |
≥ 2.3.0
< 2.3.1
All 1 versions
2.3.0
|
2.3.1
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2020-15203?
Which Tensorflow versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2020-15203?
Is tensorflow affected?
Is tensorflow-cpu affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-15203?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-15203?
How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2020-15203?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-xmq7-7fxm-rr79",
"modified" : "2024-10-28T21:23:19Z",
"published" : "2020-09-25T18:28:37Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2020-15203" ],
"summary" : "Denial of Service in Tensorflow",
"details" : "### Impact\nBy controlling the `fill` argument of [`tf.strings.as_string`](https://www.tensorflow.org/api_docs/python/tf/strings/as_string), a malicious attacker is able to trigger a format string vulnerability due to the way the internal format use in a `printf` call is constructed: https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/0e68f4d3295eb0281a517c3662f6698992b7b2cf/tensorflow/core/kernels/as_string_op.cc#L68-L74\n\nThis can result in unexpected output:\n```python\nIn [1]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill='-') \nOut[1]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['1234 '], dtype=object)> \nIn [2]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill='+') \nOut[2]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array([' +1234'], dtype=object)> \nIn [3]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"h\") \nOut[3]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['%6d'], dtype=object)> \nIn [4]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"d\") \nOut[4]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['12346d'], dtype=object)> \nIn [5]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"o\")\nOut[5]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['23226d'], dtype=object)>\nIn [6]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"x\")\nOut[6]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['4d26d'], dtype=object)>\nIn [7]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"g\")\nOut[7]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['8.67458e-3116d'], dtype=object)>\nIn [8]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"a\")\nOut[8]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['0x0.00ff7eebb4d4p-10226d'], dtype=object)>\nIn [9]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"c\")\nOut[9]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['\\xd26d'], dtype=object)>\nIn [10]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill=\"p\")\nOut[10]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['0x4d26d'], dtype=object)>\nIn [11]: tf.strings.as_string(input=[1234], width=6, fill='m') \nOut[11]: <tf.Tensor: shape=(1,), dtype=string, numpy=array(['Success6d'], dtype=object)>\n```\n\nHowever, passing in `n` or `s` results in segmentation fault.\n\n### Patches\nWe have patched the issue in 33be22c65d86256e6826666662e40dbdfe70ee83 and will release patch releases for all versions between 1.15 and 2.3.\n\nWe recommend users to upgrade to TensorFlow 1.15.4, 2.0.3, 2.1.2, 2.2.1, or 2.3.1.\n\n### For more information\nPlease consult [our security guide](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/master/SECURITY.md) for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.\n\n### Attribution\nThis vulnerability has been reported by members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.15.4"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.0.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.1.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.1.2"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.2.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.2.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.3.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.3.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-cpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.15.4"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-cpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.0.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-cpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.1.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.1.2"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-cpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.2.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.2.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-cpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.3.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.3.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-gpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.15.4"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-gpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.0.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-gpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.1.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.1.2"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-gpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.2.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.2.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.2.0" ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "PyPI",
"name" : "tensorflow-gpu"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.3.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.3.1"
} ]
} ],
"versions" : [ "2.3.0" ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-xmq7-7fxm-rr79"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-15203"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/33be22c65d86256e6826666662e40dbdfe70ee83"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2020-283.yaml"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2020-318.yaml"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2020-126.yaml"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.3.1"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "http://lists.opensuse.org/opensuse-security-announce/2020-10/msg00065.html"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-134", "CWE-20" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2020-09-25T17:34:02Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2020-09-25T19:15:00Z"
}
}