CVE-2021-37649: TensorFlow GPU - Null Pointer Dereference in tf.raw_ops.UncompressElement
Summary
CVE-2021-37649: 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
< 7bdf50bb4f5c54a4997c379092888546c97c3ebd
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-2021-37649 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 GPU is a variant of TensorFlow that leverages GPU acceleration for faster computation. It is widely used in various industries and research domains for training and inference of deep learning models.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-37649) in TensorFlow GPU resides in the tf.raw_ops.UncompressElement function. The code for this function fails to check if the Variant tensor contains a valid CompressedElement before attempting to decompress it. As a result, a null pointer dereference occurs, leading to a crash or potential exploitation. An attacker could potentially craft a malicious input to trigger this vulnerability and cause denial of service or execute arbitrary code in the context of the TensorFlow GPU process. The vulnerability affects versions 2.3.0 to 2.3.4, 2.4.0 to 2.4.3, and 2.5.0 to 2.5.1 of TensorFlow GPU.
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 mentioned for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-37649) in TensorFlow GPU can lead to a null pointer dereference, potentially resulting in a crash or exploitation. It is crucial for users of affected versions to update their TensorFlow GPU installations to the patched versions once they are released. For further support and assistance in 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 models.
The vulnerability can lead to a null pointer dereference, resulting in a crash or potential exploitation. An attacker could potentially execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service in the context of the TensorFlow GPU process.
Versions 2.3.0 to 2.3.4, 2.4.0 to 2.4.3, and 2.5.0 to 2.5.1 of TensorFlow GPU are affected.
To fix this vulnerability, update your TensorFlow GPU installation to the patched versions: TensorFlow 2.6.0, TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, or TensorFlow 2.3.4 once they are released.
No specific workaround has been mentioned for this vulnerability.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tensorflow-gpu.
