---
id: CVE-2022-21736
aliases:
  - GHSA-pfjj-m3jj-9jc9
  - BIT-tensorflow-2022-21736
  - PYSEC-2022-115
  - PYSEC-2022-60
  - PYSEC-2026-3223
title: Undefined behavior in `SparseTensorSliceDataset`
summary: Undefined behavior in `SparseTensorSliceDataset`
severity: high
cvss: 7.6
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:H'
vendor: tensorflow
product: tensorflow
ecosystem: pip
affected:
  - tensorflow < 2.5.3
  - 'tensorflow >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3'
  - 'tensorflow >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1'
  - tensorflow-cpu < 2.5.3
  - 'tensorflow-cpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3'
  - 'tensorflow-cpu >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1'
  - tensorflow-gpu < 2.5.3
  - 'tensorflow-gpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3'
  - 'tensorflow-gpu >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1'
patched:
  - tensorflow 2.5.3
  - tensorflow 2.6.3
  - tensorflow 2.7.1
  - tensorflow-cpu 2.5.3
  - tensorflow-cpu 2.6.3
  - tensorflow-cpu 2.7.1
  - tensorflow-gpu 2.5.3
  - tensorflow-gpu 2.6.3
  - tensorflow-gpu 2.7.1
published: '2022-02-09'
updated: '2026-09-10'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-10T03:49:17.501538124Z'
source: OSV
sourceUrl: 'https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-pfjj-m3jj-9jc9'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-pfjj-m3jj-9jc9
  - url: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-21736'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/965b97e4a9650495cda5a8c210ef6684b4b9eceb
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2022-60.yaml
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2022-115.yaml
  - url: 'https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/kernels/data/sparse_tensor_slice_dataset_op.cc#L227-L292
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00752
epssPercentile: 0.53003
ingestedAt: '2026-07-13T18:58:01.377Z'
---

## Overview

### Impact 
The [implementation of `SparseTensorSliceDataset`](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/5100e359aef5c8021f2e71c7b986420b85ce7b3d/tensorflow/core/kernels/data/sparse_tensor_slice_dataset_op.cc#L227-L292) has an undefined behavior: under certain condition it can be made to dereference a `nullptr` value:

```python
import tensorflow as tf
import numpy as np

tf.raw_ops.SparseTensorSliceDataset(
  indices=[[]],
  values=[],
  dense_shape=[1,1])
```

The 3 input arguments represent a sparse tensor. However, there are some preconditions that these arguments must satisfy but these are not validated in the implementation.

### Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [965b97e4a9650495cda5a8c210ef6684b4b9eceb](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/965b97e4a9650495cda5a8c210ef6684b4b9eceb).

The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.8.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.7.1, TensorFlow 2.6.3, and TensorFlow 2.5.3, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

### For more information
Please 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.

### Attribution
This vulnerability has been reported by Faysal Hossain Shezan from University of Virginia.

## Affected packages

- `tensorflow < 2.5.3`
- `tensorflow >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3`
- `tensorflow >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1`
- `tensorflow-cpu < 2.5.3`
- `tensorflow-cpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3`
- `tensorflow-cpu >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1`
- `tensorflow-gpu < 2.5.3`
- `tensorflow-gpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.3`
- `tensorflow-gpu >= 2.7.0, < 2.7.1`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `tensorflow 2.5.3`
- `tensorflow 2.6.3`
- `tensorflow 2.7.1`
- `tensorflow-cpu 2.5.3`
- `tensorflow-cpu 2.6.3`
- `tensorflow-cpu 2.7.1`
- `tensorflow-gpu 2.5.3`
- `tensorflow-gpu 2.6.3`
- `tensorflow-gpu 2.7.1`