CVE-2021-37636: TensorFlow Division by 0 Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2021-37636: TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Affects tensorflow across 3 version ranges.
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
< d9204be9f49520cdaaeb2541d1dc5187b23f31d9
Fixed in 2.3.4 or 2.4.3, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- tensorflow · Bitnami
- tensorflow-cpu · PyPI
- tensorflow-gpu · PyPI
The same CVE-2021-37636 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 domains, including research, industry, and academia. However, a vulnerability has been discovered in TensorFlow that affects the implementation of tf.raw_ops.SparseDenseCwiseDiv function.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a division by 0 error in the implementation of tf.raw_ops.SparseDenseCwiseDiv. The vulnerable code can be found in the sparse_dense_binary_op_shared.cc file of the TensorFlow source code. The issue occurs because the code fails to handle the division by 0 case separately. As a result, when the divisor is 0, the division operation leads to an error. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker 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.
-
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.42.3.4pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.3.4" -
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.32.4.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow==2.4.3"
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 specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. However, users can mitigate the risk by ensuring they update to the patched versions of TensorFlow as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
The division by 0 vulnerability in TensorFlow's tf.raw_ops.SparseDenseCwiseDiv function can lead to a denial of service (DoS) condition or potential execution of arbitrary code. It is crucial to update TensorFlow to the patched versions (2.6.0, 2.5.1, 2.4.3, or 2.3.4) to mitigate the risk. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow →
FAQ
TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning that provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources for building and deploying machine learning models.
This vulnerability can lead to a division by 0 error in TensorFlow, which can result in a denial of service (DoS) condition or potential execution of arbitrary code.
To fix this vulnerability, update your TensorFlow installation to version 2.6.0 once it is released. If you are using versions 2.5.1, 2.4.3, or 2.3.4, update to the respective patched versions.
There is no specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. Updating to the patched versions is the recommended solution.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the TensorFlow advisory PYSEC-2021-258 and the associated GitHub commit d9204be9f49520cdaaeb2541d1dc5187b23f31d9.
References
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