CVE-2021-41213
Deadlock in mutually recursive `tf.function` objects
Reported by github_m · Published November 5, 2021
tensorflow is fixed in 2.7.0, 2.6.1, 2.5.2 and 1 more (PyPI)
TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning. In affected versions the code behind `tf.function` API can be made to deadlock when two `tf.function` decorated Python functions are mutually recursive. This occurs due to using a non-reentrant `Lock` Python object. Loading any model which contains mutually recursive functions is vulnerable. An attacker can cause denial of service by causing users to load such models and calling a recursive `tf.function`, although this is not a frequent scenario. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.7.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.6.1, TensorFlow 2.5.2, and TensorFlow 2.4.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.
Fixed versions
Upgrade to a fixed version or later. Language registries are listed first, then Linux distributions, then vendor products.
| Package | Ecosystem | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow | PyPI | 2.7.0, 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 |
| tensorflow-cpu | PyPI | afac8158d43691661ad083f6dd9e56f327c1dcb7, 2.7.0, 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 |
| tensorflow-gpu | PyPI | 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 |
| tensorflow | Bitnami | 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 |
| tensorflow | 2.6.1, 2.5.2, 2.4.4 |
Risk scores
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow | tensorflow | >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, < 2.4.4 |
| tensorflow | tensorflow | 2.6.0, 2.5.0, 0 |
| PyPI | tensorflow | 0, 2.6.0, 2.5.0 |
| arch | tensorflow | 0 |
| PyPI | tensorflow-cpu | 2.6.0, 2.5.0, 0 |
| PyPI | tensorflow-gpu | 2.6.0, 2.5.0, 0 |
Timeline
- Nov 5, 2021 CVE Published
- Nov 6, 2021 EPSS Score (30 in total, the first dated here)
- Mar 10, 2026 Security Advisory
- Mar 13, 2026 CVE Updated
- Jul 20, 2026 Coalition ESS Score
Query this with the API
The same record, from the CLI:
vulnetix vdb vuln CVE-2021-41213
vulnetix vdb fixes CVE-2021-41213Or with curl, using the org id and key from your account page:
curl -s -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${VULNETIX_ORG_ID}:${VULNETIX_API_KEY}" \
"https://api.vdb.vulnetix.com/v2/vuln/CVE-2021-41213/fixes/registry"The Community plan is free and allows 50 queries a day. Get a free API key · API quickstart
References
- x_refsource_CONFIRM
- x_refsource_MISC
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41213 advisory
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-h67m-xg8f-fxcf advisory
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-622.yaml advisory
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-820.yaml advisory
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-405.yaml advisory
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow url