CVE-2021-29541: TensorFlow - Null Pointer Dereference in tf.raw_ops.StringNGrams
Summary
CVE-2021-29541: TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Affects tensorflow across 5 version ranges.
< 2.1.4
>= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2
< ba424dd8f16f7110eea526a8086f1a155f14f22b
Fixed in 4 releases; the minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- tensorflow · Bitnami
- tensorflow-cpu · PyPI
- tensorflow-gpu · PyPI
The same CVE-2021-29541 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and resources for building 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.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-29541) in TensorFlow affects the tf.raw_ops.StringNGrams function. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by providing a malicious input that triggers a null pointer dereference. The issue arises due to inadequate validation of the data_splits argument in the implementation of tf.raw_ops.StringNGrams. When the output is computed to have a size of 0 or negative, the ngrams_data pointer becomes null. Subsequent writes to the output tensor then lead to a null pointer dereference. This vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.21.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.21.0"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 2.1.42.1.4pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.1.4" -
>= 2.2.0, < 2.2.32.2.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.2.3" -
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.32.3.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.3.3" -
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.22.4.2pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.4.2"
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the provided fix or upgrade to a fixed version of TensorFlow.
Conclusion
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-29541) in TensorFlow's tf.raw_ops.StringNGrams function can lead to a null pointer dereference, potentially resulting in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or arbitrary code execution. It is crucial to update your TensorFlow installation to a fixed version or apply the provided fix to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow →
FAQ
TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning that provides tools and libraries for building and deploying machine learning models.
This vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code.
The vulnerability affects TensorFlow versions 2.1.4 and later, including versions 2.2.3, 2.3.3, 2.4.2, and versions prior to 2.5.0.
No, there is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the provided fix or upgrade to a fixed version of TensorFlow.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the TensorFlow advisory database: [link to the advisory]
References
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