Null pointer dereference in `RaggedTensorToTensor`
High7.7CVE-2021-37638 · Published Aug 25, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026
### Impact Sending invalid argument for `row_partition_types` of `tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor` API results in a null pointer dereference and undefined behavior: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor( shape=1, values=10, default_value=21, row_partition_tensors=tf.constant([0,0,0,0]), row_partition_types=[]) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/47a06f40411a69c99f381495f490536972152ac0/tensorflow/core/kernels/ragged_tensor_to_tensor_op.cc#L328) accesses the first element of a user supplied list of values without validating that the provided list is not empty. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [301ae88b331d37a2a16159b65b255f4f9eb39314](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/301ae88b331d37a2a16159b65b255f4f9eb39314). 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 secu...
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 Sending invalid argument for `row_partition_types` of `tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor` API results in a null pointer dereference and undefined behavior: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.RaggedTensorToTensor( shape=1, values=10, default_value=21, row_partition_tensors=tf.constant([0,0,0,0]), row_partition_types=[]) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/47a06f40411a69c99f381495f490536972152ac0/tensorflow/core/kernels/ragged_tensor_to_tensor_op.cc#L328) accesses the first element of a user supplied list of values without validating that the provided list is not empty. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [301ae88b331d37a2a16159b65b255f4f9eb39314](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/301ae88b331d37a2a16159b65b255f4f9eb39314). 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.
- 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-2021-37638, CVE-2021-37638, PYSEC-2021-260, PYSEC-2021-551, PYSEC-2021-749
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-hwr7-8gxx-fj5p
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37638
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/301ae88b331d37a2a16159b65b255f4f9eb39314
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-551.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-749.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-260.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
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