CVE-2021-37676: TensorFlow - Null Pointer Dereference in SparseFillEmptyRows
Summary
CVE-2021-37676: 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
< 578e634b4f1c1c684d4b4294f9e5281b2133b3ed
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-2021-37676 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
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. It offers support for both deep learning and traditional machine learning algorithms, making it a popular choice among developers and data scientists.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-37676) in TensorFlow allows an attacker to cause undefined behavior by binding a reference to a null pointer in the tf.raw_ops.SparseFillEmptyRows function. The shape inference implementation in the affected versions fails to validate that the input arguments are not empty tensors. This can lead to unexpected behavior or crashes during execution. The issue has been patched in the GitHub commit 578e634b4f1c1c684d4b4294f9e5281b2133b3ed and will be included in TensorFlow 2.6.0. The fix has also been backported to TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, and TensorFlow 2.3.4, as these versions are also affected and within the supported range.
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 known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the patch or upgrade to the patched versions as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-37676) in TensorFlow allows an attacker to cause undefined behavior by binding a reference to a null pointer. It is important to update your TensorFlow installation to the patched versions or apply the provided patch to mitigate the risk. If you have any further questions or need assistance with vulnerability remediation, please 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.
The vulnerability allows an attacker to cause undefined behavior in TensorFlow, which can lead to unexpected crashes or other issues during execution.
To fix the vulnerability, update your TensorFlow installation to the patched versions: TensorFlow 2.6.0, TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, or TensorFlow 2.3.4.
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the patch or upgrade to the patched versions.
You can find more information about this vulnerability in the TensorFlow GitHub repository and the PyPI advisory database.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tensorflow.
