CVE-2019-9635: NULL pointer dereference in TensorFlow-GPU
Summary
CVE-2019-9635: NULL pointer dereference in Google TensorFlow before 1.12.2 could cause a denial of service via an invalid GIF file. Affects tensorflow-gpu versions < 1.12.2. Fixed in 1.12.2. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- tensorflow · PyPI
- tensorflow · PyPI
- tensorflow-cpu · PyPI
The same CVE-2019-9635 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-GPU is an open-source machine learning framework developed by Google. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and resources for building and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow-GPU leverages the power of GPUs to accelerate the training and inference processes. However, a vulnerability has been identified in versions prior to 1.12.2 that could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack when processing invalid GIF files.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2019-9635) in TensorFlow-GPU arises from a NULL pointer dereference issue. When processing an invalid GIF file, the software fails to properly handle the NULL pointer, resulting in a crash or termination of the application. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a DoS condition, potentially disrupting the availability of the affected system. It is important to note that this vulnerability only affects versions of TensorFlow-GPU prior to 1.12.2.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.12.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==2.12.0"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.12.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==1.12.2"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Conclusion
The vulnerability (CVE-2019-9635) in TensorFlow-GPU prior to version 1.12.2 can result in a denial of service (DoS) condition when processing invalid GIF files. To address this vulnerability, users should upgrade their TensorFlow-GPU installation to version 1.12.2 or later. It is crucial to keep software dependencies up to date to ensure the security and stability of machine learning applications. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow-gpu →
FAQ
TensorFlow-GPU is an open-source machine learning framework developed by Google. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and resources for building and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow-GPU leverages the power of GPUs to accelerate the training and inference processes.
A NULL pointer dereference occurs when a program attempts to access or manipulate data using a pointer that points to a NULL (empty) memory address. This can lead to a crash or termination of the program.
A denial of service (DoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a system or network by overwhelming it with a flood of illegitimate requests or by exploiting vulnerabilities to cause system crashes or resource exhaustion.
The vulnerability in TensorFlow-GPU can be exploited by providing an invalid GIF file as input to the software. This triggers the NULL pointer dereference issue, leading to a crash or termination of the application.
No specific workaround has been provided for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to TensorFlow-GPU version 1.12.2 or later to mitigate the issue.
References
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