CVE-2021-37666: TensorFlow - Reference Binding to Null Pointer in tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToVariant

tensorflow Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

06/03/2024
Yes i
High
Not published

CVE-2021-37666: Reference binding to nullptr in RaggedTensorToVariant in TensorFlow. Affects tensorflow across 3 version ranges.

>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4 >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3 >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1

Fixed in 2.3.4, 2.4.3 or 2.5.1, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2021-37666 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

Free scan

Check if this vulnerability affects your application

Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Sponsored Devnack Mobile apps built by Devnack Design, build and launch iOS and Android apps with a senior product team. From idea to store release Start a project

Background

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and resources for developing and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow is widely used in various industries and research domains for tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and recommendation systems. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in TensorFlow that allows an attacker to cause undefined behavior by binding a reference to a null pointer in the tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToVariant function.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability arises from an incomplete validation of the splits values in the implementation of tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToVariant. The validation does not account for the case when the splits argument is empty. As a result, an attacker can exploit this flaw to bind a reference to a null pointer, leading to undefined behavior. The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the specific usage of TensorFlow in an application. However, it has the potential to cause crashes, memory corruption, and potentially enable remote code execution.

How To Fix

Fixed versions by release line

The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.

  • >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4 2.3.4
  • >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3 2.4.3
  • >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.5.1

Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →

Workaround

There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the official patch or upgrade to the patched versions of TensorFlow as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in TensorFlow that allows an attacker to bind a reference to a null pointer in tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToVariant can have serious consequences, including crashes, memory corruption, and potential remote code execution. It is crucial for users of TensorFlow to update their installations to the patched versions or apply the official patch to ensure the security and stability of their machine learning applications. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.

See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow →

Share this vulnerability

FAQ

TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning that provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources for developing and deploying machine learning models.

The vulnerability allows an attacker to cause undefined behavior in TensorFlow, potentially leading to crashes, memory corruption, and remote code execution.

To fix this vulnerability, users should update their TensorFlow installations to the patched versions (2.6.0 or the patched versions of 2.5.1, 2.4.3, or 2.3.4).

No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the official patch or upgrade to the patched versions of TensorFlow.

For more information about this vulnerability, you can refer to the GitHub commit be7a4de6adfbd303ce08be4332554dff70362612 or the official TensorFlow documentation.

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tensorflow.

How To Fix

Fixed versions by release line

The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.

  • >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4 2.3.4
  • >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3 2.4.3
  • >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.5.1

Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →

Subscribe to Vulert on Telegram
Daily digest of new CVEs, critical and high severity, affected packages and fixes — plus a weekly roundup.
Join the channel →
Help improve this record
Report an issue or send feedback