CVE-2020-15196

Name: CVE-2020-15196
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-09-25T19:15:14.87+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.9/10EPSS 0.90%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-15196 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.9/10 on the CVSS scale. In Tensorflow version 2.3.0, the `SparseCountSparseOutput` and `RaggedCountSparseOutput` implementations don't validate that the `weights` tensor has the same shape as the data. The check exists for `DenseCountSparseOutput`, where both tensors are fully specified. EPSS estimates a 0.90% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In Tensorflow version 2.3.0, the `SparseCountSparseOutput` and `RaggedCountSparseOutput` implementations don't validate that the `weights` tensor has the same shape as the data. The check exists for `DenseCountSparseOutput`, where both tensors are fully specified. In the sparse and ragged count weights are still accessed in parallel with the data. But, since there is no validation, a user passing fewer weights than the values for the tensors can generate a read from outside the bounds of the heap buffer allocated for the weights. The issue is patched in commit 3cbb917b4714766030b28eba9fb41bb97ce9ee02 and is released in TensorFlow version 2.3.1.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.9/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.90%

55.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Google	Tensorflow	2.3.0

References

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/3cbb917b4714766030b28eba9fb41bb97ce9ee02Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.3.1Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-pg59-2f92-5cphExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/3cbb917b4714766030b28eba9fb41bb97ce9ee02Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/releases/tag/v2.3.1Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-pg59-2f92-5cphExploit, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Sep 25, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-15196?

How severe is CVE-2020-15196?

CVE-2020-15196 has a CVSS score of 9.9/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.90% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2020-15196?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-15196?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST