Null pointer dereference in `CompressElement`
High7.7CVE-2021-37637 · Published Aug 25, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026
Affected versions
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| tensorflow PyPI | < 2.3.4 | 2.3.4 |
| >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3 | 2.4.3 | |
| >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 | 2.5.1 |
Details and references
### Impact It is possible to trigger a null pointer dereference in TensorFlow by passing an invalid input to `tf.raw_ops.CompressElement`: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.CompressElement(components=[[]]) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/47a06f40411a69c99f381495f490536972152ac0/tensorflow/core/data/compression_utils.cc#L34) was accessing the size of a buffer obtained from the return of a separate function call before validating that said buffer is valid. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [5dc7f6981fdaf74c8c5be41f393df705841fb7c5](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5dc7f6981fdaf74c8c5be41f393df705841fb7c5). 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](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. Concurrently, it was resolved in `master` branch as it was also discovered internally and fixed before the report was handled.
- CVSS 3.1
- CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
- Severity from
- GitHub (reviewed advisory)
- Weakness
- CWE-476
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-37637, CVE-2021-37637, PYSEC-2021-259, PYSEC-2021-550, PYSEC-2021-748
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-c9qf-r67m-p7cg
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37637
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5dc7f6981fdaf74c8c5be41f393df705841fb7c5
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-550.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-748.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-259.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
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| Aug 252021 | Use after free and segfault in shape inference functions CVE-2021-37690Medium6.6fixed in 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 | Medium6.6 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| Aug 252021 | Null pointer dereference in TFLite MLIR optimizations CVE-2021-37689High7.8fixed in 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 | High7.8 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| Aug 252021 | Null pointer dereference in TFLite CVE-2021-37688High7.8fixed in 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 | High7.8 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
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