CVE-2022-21726: PYSEC-2026-3082 - Out of bounds read in Tensorflow

CVE-2022-21726 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2026-07-09

TensorFlow is an open-source machine learning framework used to build and train neural network models. The Dequantize operation, which converts quantized tensors to floating-point values, fails to properly validate the axis parameter, allowing attackers to read memory beyond array bounds. An attacker with the ability to invoke TensorFlow operations could extract sensitive data from memory or crash the application.

Technologies: Google TensorFlow, tensorflow (PyPI), tensorflow-cpu (PyPI), tensorflow-gpu (PyPI). Vendors: Google, PyPI.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2022-21726 exploited in the wild?
No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2022-21726 being exploited in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2022-21726?
Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 9 July 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
Google TensorFlow < 2.5.3, 2.6.0-2.6.2, 2.7.0; tensorflow (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.5.3,introduced=2.6.0,fixed=2.6.3,introduced=2.7.0,fixed=2.7.1; tensorflow-cpu (PyPI) GIT:introduced=0,fixed=23968a8bf65b009120c43b5ebcceaf52dbc9e943|ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.5.3,introduced=2.6.0,fixed=2.6.3; tensorflow-gpu (PyPI) GIT:introduced=0,fixed=23968a8bf65b009120c43b5ebcceaf52dbc9e943|ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=2.5.3,introduced=2.6.0,fixed=2.6.3.
Is there a fix for CVE-2022-21726?
Yes. tensorflow (PyPI): upgrade to 2.7.1 or later; tensorflow-cpu (PyPI): upgrade to 2.6.3 or later; tensorflow-gpu (PyPI): upgrade to 2.6.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2022-21726 attacked?
It is attacked over the network.
Am I affected by CVE-2022-21726?
Check whether you run Google TensorFlow, tensorflow (PyPI), tensorflow-cpu (PyPI) or one of the others listed at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

How to fix

  • tensorflow (PyPI): upgrade to 2.7.1 or later
    pip install "tensorflow>=2.7.1"
  • tensorflow-cpu (PyPI): upgrade to 2.6.3 or later
    pip install "tensorflow-cpu>=2.6.3"
  • tensorflow-gpu (PyPI): upgrade to 2.6.3 or later
    pip install "tensorflow-gpu>=2.6.3"

Technical details

The vulnerability is an out-of-bounds (OOB) heap read in TensorFlow's Dequantize kernel (CWE-125). The root cause is insufficient validation of the axis parameter—while the code checks that axis is greater than -1, it does not verify that axis does not exceed the number of input tensor dimensions. This allows an attacker to pass an arbitrarily large axis value (e.g., 2^31-1) that causes the code to read past the end of the dimension array when accessing input.dim_size(axis_). The attack requires the ability to call tf.raw_ops.Dequantize with a crafted input, which is feasible in environments where users can execute arbitrary TensorFlow code (network-accessible inference servers, collaborative notebooks). Patches are available in TensorFlow 2.8.0, 2.7.1, 2.6.3, and 2.5.3.

Affected products

  • Google TensorFlow < 2.5.3, 2.6.0-2.6.2, 2.7.0
  • Google TensorFlow CPU < 2.5.3, 2.6.0-2.6.2, 2.7.0
  • Google TensorFlow GPU < 2.5.3, 2.6.0-2.6.2, 2.7.0

Identifiers

  • CVE-2022-21726
  • GHSA-23hm-7w47-xw72
  • PYSEC-2022-105
  • PYSEC-2022-50
  • PYSEC-2026-3082

Timeline

  • 2022-02-09: disclosed
  • 2022-02: patched: Fixed in TensorFlow 2.8.0; backports to 2.7.1, 2.6.3, 2.5.3

References

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