Undefined behavior via `nullptr` reference binding in sparse matrix multiplication
High7.8CVE-2021-41219 · Published Nov 10, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 | 2.6.1 |
| >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2 | 2.5.2 | |
| < 2.4.4 | 2.4.4 |
Details and references
### Impact The [code for sparse matrix multiplication](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/kernels/sparse_matmul_op.cc#L954-L1086) is vulnerable to undefined behavior via binding a reference to `nullptr`: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.SparseMatMul( a=[[1.0,1.0,1.0]], b=[[],[],[]], transpose_a=False, transpose_b=False, a_is_sparse=False, b_is_sparse=True) ``` This occurs whenever the dimensions of `a` or `b` are 0 or less. In the case on one of these is 0, an empty output tensor should be allocated (to conserve the invariant that output tensors are always allocated when the operation is successful) but nothing should be written to it (that is, we should return early from the kernel implementation). Otherwise, attempts to write to this empty tensor would result in heap OOB access. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [e6cf28c72ba2eb949ca950d834dd6d66bb01cfae](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/e6cf28c72ba2eb949ca950d834dd6d66bb01cfae). The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.7.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.6.1, TensorFlow 2.5.2, and TensorFlow 2.4.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range. ### For more information Please consult [our security guide](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/master/SECURITY.md) 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.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-125, CWE-824
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-41219, CVE-2021-41219, PYSEC-2021-411, PYSEC-2021-628, PYSEC-2021-826
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-4f99-p9c2-3j8x
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41219
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/e6cf28c72ba2eb949ca950d834dd6d66bb01cfae
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-628.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-826.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-411.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
More TensorFlow advisories
All TensorFlow| Date | Advisory | Severity | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 102021 | Code injection in `saved_model_cli` CVE-2021-41228Medium7.5fixed in 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 | Medium7.5 | 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 |
| Nov 102021 | Arbitrary memory read in `ImmutableConst` CVE-2021-41227Medium6.6fixed in 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 | Medium6.6 | 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 |
| Nov 102021 | Heap OOB in `SparseBinCount` CVE-2021-41226Medium7.1fixed in 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 | Medium7.1 | 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 |
| Nov 102021 | A use of uninitialized value vulnerability in Tensorflow CVE-2021-41225Medium5.5fixed in 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 | Medium5.5 | 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 |
| Nov 102021 | `SparseFillEmptyRows` heap OOB CVE-2021-41224Medium7.1fixed in 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 | Medium7.1 | 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 |
| Nov 102021 | Heap OOB in `FusedBatchNorm` kernels CVE-2021-41223Medium7.1fixed in 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 | Medium7.1 | 2.4.4, 2.5.2, 2.6.1 |