Reference binding to nullptr and heap OOB in binary cwise ops
Impact
An attacker can cause undefined behavior via binding a reference to null pointer in all binary cwise operations that don't require broadcasting (e.g., gradients of binary cwise operations):
import tensorflow as tf
tf.raw_ops.SqrtGrad(y=[4, 16],dy=[])The implementation assumes that the two inputs have exactly the same number of elements but does not check that. Hence, when the eigen functor executes it triggers heap OOB reads and undefined behavior due to binding to nullptr.
Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 93f428fd1768df147171ed674fee1fc5ab8309ec.
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/93f428fd1768df147171ed674fee1fc5ab8309ec
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-q3g3-h9r4-prrc
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37659
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-572.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-770.yaml
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-281.yaml
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:H- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-125- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
tensorflow, tensorflow-cpu, tensorflow-gpu- Disclosed
- 12.08.2021
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 15:17
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-281 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-572 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-770 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-q3g3-h9r4-prrc - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: tensorflow-cpu
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
- 430
- First → latest
- 04.2019 07.2024
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 111
- Medium 208
- Low 105
Disclosures per year
- 2019: 7
- 2020: 35
- 2021: 200
- 2022: 166
- 2023: 21
- 2024: 1
- 2025: 0
- 2026: 0
-
Reference binding to nullptr and heap OOB in binary cwise ops this entry
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