CVE-2021-37637: TensorFlow GPU - Null Pointer Dereference in CompressElement
Summary
CVE-2021-37637: TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. Affects tensorflow-gpu across 3 version ranges.
>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
< 5dc7f6981fdaf74c8c5be41f393df705841fb7c5
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-cpu · PyPI
The same CVE-2021-37637 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 set of tools, libraries, and resources for building and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow GPU is a variant of TensorFlow that leverages GPU acceleration for faster computation. It is widely used in various industries and research domains for deep learning tasks.
Vulnerability Detail
This vulnerability in TensorFlow GPU allows an attacker to trigger a null pointer dereference by providing an invalid input to the tf.raw_ops.CompressElement function. The issue arises from accessing the size of a buffer obtained from a separate function call without validating its validity. As a result, when the invalid input is passed, the program crashes due to the null pointer dereference. 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: 2.12.0 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==2.12.0"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-gpu==2.3.4" -
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.32.4.3pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==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 solution is to update to the patched version of TensorFlow GPU as mentioned in the 'how_to_fix' section.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in TensorFlow GPU allows for a null pointer dereference when an invalid input is provided to the tf.raw_ops.CompressElement function. This can lead to a denial-of-service condition or potential code execution. Users are advised to update their TensorFlow GPU installations to the latest patched version as soon as it becomes available. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow-gpu →
FAQ
TensorFlow GPU is a variant of TensorFlow that utilizes GPU acceleration for faster computation of machine learning tasks.
A null pointer dereference occurs when a program attempts to access or dereference a memory location that has a null (empty) value, resulting in a crash or unexpected behavior.
This vulnerability can lead to a denial-of-service (DoS) condition, where the program crashes or becomes unresponsive. In some cases, it may also be possible for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.
You can use the Vulert Playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities without requiring access to the code or installation.
No specific workaround is available for this vulnerability. It is recommended to update to the patched version of TensorFlow GPU once it becomes available.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tensorflow-gpu.
