CVE-2021-37681: google tensorflow NULL Pointer Dereference
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2021-37681 is a high (CVSS 7.8) NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability in google tensorflow. EPSS estimates a 0.17% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 6.3% of scored vulnerabilities.
Advisory lineage
Upstream 0 · Downstream 1 · Related 1Timeline
- 12-08-2021PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 04-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. In affected versions the implementation of SVDF in TFLite is [vulnerable to a null pointer error](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/460e000de3a83278fb00b61a16d161b1964f15f4/tensorflow/lite/kernels/svdf.cc#L300-L313). The [`GetVariableInput` function](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/460e000de3a83278fb00b61a16d161b1964f15f4/tensorflow/lite/kernels/kernel_util.cc#L115-L119) can return a null pointer but `GetTensorData` assumes that the argument is always a valid tensor. Furthermore, because `GetVariableInput` calls [`GetMutableInput`](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/460e000de3a83278fb00b61a16d161b1964f15f4/tensorflow/lite/kernels/kernel_util.cc#L82-L90) which might return `nullptr`, the `tensor->is_variable` expression can also trigger a null pointer exception. We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 5b048e87e4e55990dae6b547add4dae59f4e1c76. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.6.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.5.1, TensorFlow 2.4.3, and TensorFlow 2.3.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.
CVSS metrics
5 scores · 3 sources · 3 versions- OSV · PypiEcosystem advisory · calculated7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
0.17%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
6%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 0.17% on 18-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeAffected systems
PyPI3 products
- tensorflow< 2.3.4 | ≥ 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | < 5b048e87e4e55990dae6b547add4dae59f4e1c76 | ≥ 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
- tensorflow-cpu< 2.3.4 | ≥ 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | < 5b048e87e4e55990dae6b547add4dae59f4e1c76 | ≥ 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
- tensorflow-gpu< 2.3.4 | ≥ 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | < 5b048e87e4e55990dae6b547add4dae59f4e1c76 | ≥ 2.4.0, < 2.4.3
Google1 product
- tensorflow≥ 2.3.0, < 2.3.4 | ≥ 2.4.0, < 2.4.3 | 2.5.0 | 2.6.0:rc0 | 2.6.0:rc1 | 2.6.0:rc2
Tensorflow1 product
- tensorflow≥ 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | ≥ 2.4.0, < 2.4.3 | < 2.3.4
3 vendors · 5 products
References
8 links- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-7xwj-5r4v-429pX Refsource CONFIRMWEBAdvisoryThird Party Advisory
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5b048e87e4e55990dae6b547add4dae59f4e1c76X Refsource MISCWEBFIXPatchThird Party Advisory