CVE-2021-41208: TensorFlow GPU Boosted Trees API Denial of Service Vulnerability

tensorflow-gpu Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

05/11/2021

Disclosed on

CVE-2021-41208

CVE

Yes i

Fix available

Unrated

Severity

Not published

CVSS Score

CVE-2021-41208: TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning. Affects tensorflow-gpu across 5 version ranges.

< 2.4.4 >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2 >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 >= 2.7.0rc0, < 2.7.0 < 5c8c9a8bfe750f9743d0c859bae112060b216f5c

Fixed in 4 releases; the minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

tensorflow · Bitnami
tensorflow · PyPI
tensorflow · PyPI
tensorflow-cpu · PyPI

The same CVE-2021-41208 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

Free scan

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.

Check my app free

No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds

Upload your dependency manifest or SBOM

Drag & drop your file here or Browse

Java Javascript PHP Python Go Rust Ruby Dart C/C++ Elixir CycloneDX SPDX

Upload a supported dependency manifest or SBOM. No installation or source-code access required.

See supported files and SBOM formats

SBOM sbom.json · bom.json · bom.xml · *.spdx.json · *.cdx.json · *.cdx.xml

Java pom.xml · gradle.lockfile · buildscript-gradle.lockfile

Javascript package-lock.json · yarn.lock · pnpm-lock.yaml

PHP composer.lock

Python poetry.lock · requirements.txt · Pipfile.lock

Go go.mod

Rust Cargo.lock

Ruby Gemfile.lock

Dart pubspec.lock

C/C++ conan.lock

Elixir mix.lock

Enter your work email to receive your report link.

Verify your email to view the full report and start 30 days of continuous monitoring. No credit card required.

Background

TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem of tools, libraries, and resources for developing and deploying machine learning models. TensorFlow includes an API for boosted trees, which is a popular machine learning algorithm used for regression and classification tasks. Boosted trees in TensorFlow allow users to train and evaluate models using gradient boosting techniques. However, the boosted trees implementation in TensorFlow is currently unmaintained.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability (CVE-2021-41208) in TensorFlow's boosted trees API allows attackers to trigger denial of service attacks and abuse undefined behavior. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can cause the program to crash by dereferencing null pointers or triggering CHECK failures. Additionally, the attacker can manipulate heap buffers, potentially leading to unauthorized read and write operations. This vulnerability affects versions of TensorFlow prior to 2.7.0 and can have serious consequences for applications relying on the boosted trees API.

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.

< 2.4.4 2.4.4

pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==2.4.4"

>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2 2.5.2

pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==2.5.2"

>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 2.6.1

pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==2.6.1"

>= 2.7.0rc0, < 2.7.0 2.7.0

pip install --upgrade "tensorflow-gpu==2.7.0"

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. However, users can mitigate the risk by updating TensorFlow to one of the patched versions mentioned above and avoiding the use of the boosted trees APIs.

Conclusion

The vulnerability in TensorFlow's boosted trees API (CVE-2021-41208) can have serious consequences for applications utilizing this functionality. It is crucial to update TensorFlow to one of the patched versions and avoid using the affected APIs. Consider seeking further support from DevNack.com for vulnerability remediation assistance.

See every vulnerability recorded for tensorflow-gpu →

FAQ

What is TensorFlow?

TensorFlow is an open source platform for machine learning that provides tools and libraries for developing and deploying machine learning models.

What are boosted trees?

Boosted trees are a popular machine learning algorithm used for regression and classification tasks. They combine multiple decision trees to make predictions.

What is the impact of this vulnerability?

This vulnerability in TensorFlow's boosted trees API can lead to denial of service attacks, unauthorized read and write operations, and potential program crashes.

How can I fix this vulnerability?

To fix this vulnerability, update TensorFlow to one of the patched versions (2.7.0, 2.6.1, 2.5.2, or 2.4.4) and avoid using the boosted trees APIs.

Are there alternative machine learning algorithms or libraries I can use?

Yes, there are alternative machine learning algorithms and libraries available for boosted trees functionality. Consider exploring other options based on your specific requirements.

References

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for tensorflow-gpu.

View all tensorflow-gpu vulnerabilities →