CVE-2021-37673: Denial of Service in TensorFlow
Summary
CVE-2021-37673: 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
< d7de67733925de196ec8863a33445b73f9562d1d
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-2021-37673 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 is widely used in various domains, including research, industry, and academia. It offers extensive support for deep learning algorithms and enables efficient computation on both CPUs and GPUs.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37673 affects TensorFlow versions 2.3.0 to 2.5.0. It allows an attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) attack by exploiting a flaw in the tf.raw_ops.MapStage function. The vulnerability arises from the lack of validation for the key input, which can result in a CHECK-fail. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by providing an invalid or empty tensor as the key input, causing the program to crash or become unresponsive. This vulnerability can be particularly impactful in scenarios where TensorFlow is used in critical systems or services.
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"
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. The recommended approach is to update TensorFlow to the patched versions mentioned above.
Conclusion
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37673 in TensorFlow can lead to a denial of service attack. It is crucial for users of TensorFlow to update their installations to the patched versions or apply the relevant patches as soon as possible. Failure to do so may expose systems and services to potential exploitation. For further support and assistance in 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 libraries for developing and deploying machine learning models.
This vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger a denial of service attack by exploiting a flaw in TensorFlow. It can result in the program crashing or becoming unresponsive, potentially impacting critical systems or services.
The vulnerability affects TensorFlow versions 2.3.0 to 2.5.0.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update TensorFlow to version 2.6.0 or apply the relevant patches. The fix has been implemented in the GitHub commit d7de67733925de196ec8863a33445b73f9562d1d.
There is no specific workaround provided for this vulnerability. The recommended approach is to update TensorFlow to the patched versions.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tensorflow-cpu.
