CVE-2021-37638: TensorFlow CPU - Null Pointer Dereference in tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor API
Summary
CVE-2021-37638: TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Affects tensorflow-cpu across 3 version ranges.
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
< 301ae88b331d37a2a16159b65b255f4f9eb39314
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 · PyPI
- tensorflow · PyPI
- tensorflow-gpu · PyPI
The same CVE-2021-37638 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 developing and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow CPU is a specific package within TensorFlow that focuses on running TensorFlow on CPUs. It is widely used in various industries and research fields for machine learning tasks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-37638) exists in the tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor API of TensorFlow CPU. When an invalid argument is provided for the row_partition_types parameter, a null pointer dereference occurs, leading to undefined behavior. The issue arises from the implementation of the API, which accesses the first element of a user-supplied list without validating if the list is empty. 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-cpu==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-cpu==2.3.4" -
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.32.4.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-cpu==2.4.3"
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. However, users can ensure they are not passing invalid arguments to the row_partition_types parameter of the tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor API to avoid triggering the null pointer dereference.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vulnerability (CVE-2021-37638) in TensorFlow CPU's tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor API can result in a null pointer dereference and undefined behavior. It is recommended to update TensorFlow CPU to the latest patched version or one of the fixed versions mentioned. Users should also ensure they are passing valid arguments to the vulnerable API to avoid triggering the vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow-cpu →
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.
TensorFlow CPU is a specific package within TensorFlow that focuses on running TensorFlow on CPUs. It is widely used for machine learning tasks on systems without GPU acceleration.
This vulnerability can lead to a null pointer dereference and undefined behavior in TensorFlow CPU. It can potentially result in a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
To fix this vulnerability, update TensorFlow CPU to version 2.6.0 or later. Alternatively, you can update to TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, or TensorFlow 2.3.4, as these versions also include the fix.
There is no specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. However, users can avoid triggering the null pointer dereference by ensuring they pass valid arguments to the row_partition_types parameter of the tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor API.
References
Related vulnerabilities
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