Null pointer dereference in `UncompressElement`
Impact
The code for tf.raw_ops.UncompressElement can be made to trigger a null pointer dereference:
import tensorflow as tf
data = tf.data.Dataset.from_tensors([0.0])
tf.raw_ops.UncompressElement(
compressed=tf.data.experimental.to_variant(data),
output_types=[tf.int64],
output_shapes=[2])The implementation obtains a pointer to a CompressedElement from a Variant tensor and then proceeds to dereference it for decompressing. There is no check that the Variant tensor contained a CompressedElement, so the pointer is actually nullptr.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 7bdf50bb4f5c54a4997c379092888546c97c3ebd.
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.
For more information
Please consult our security guide for more information regarding the security model and how to contact us with issues and questions.
Attribution
This vulnerability has been reported by members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow | < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-cpu | < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| Python (PyPI) | tensorflow-gpu | < 2.3.4, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
References
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/7bdf50bb4f5c54a4997c379092888546c97c3ebd
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-6gv8-p3vj-pxvr
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37649
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-562.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-760.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-271.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-476- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 12.08.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 13:19
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-271 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-562 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-760 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-6gv8-p3vj-pxvr - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 433
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 112
- Medium 210
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 169
- 2023: 21
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
Null pointer dereference in `UncompressElement` this entry
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