Null pointer dereference in TFLite
High7.8CVE-2021-37688 · Published Aug 25, 2021 · updated Sep 10, 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 An attacker can craft a TFLite model that would trigger a null pointer dereference, which would result in a crash and denial of service: ```python import tensorflow as tf model = tf.keras.models.Sequential() model.add(tf.keras.Input(shape=(1, 2, 3))) model.add(tf.keras.layers.Dense(0, activation='relu')) converter = tf.lite.TFLiteConverter.from_keras_model(model) tflite_model = converter.convert() interpreter = tf.lite.Interpreter(model_content=tflite_model) interpreter.allocate_tensors() interpreter.invoke() ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/149562d49faa709ea80df1d99fc41d005b81082a/tensorflow/lite/kernels/internal/optimized/optimized_ops.h#L268-L285) unconditionally dereferences a pointer. ```cc if (y4 > 1) { // ... } else { for (int i0 = 0; i0 < y0; ++i0) { const T* input2_data_ptr = nullptr; for (int i1 = 0; i1 < y1; ++i1) { input2_data_ptr = input2_data_reset; for (int i2 = 0; i2 < y2; ++i2) { scalar_broadcast_f(y3, params, *input1_data_ptr, input2_data_ptr, output_data_ptr); } } } } ``` ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [15691e456c7dc9bd6be203b09765b063bf4a380c](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/15691e456c7dc9bd6be203b09765b063bf4a380c). 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 Yakun Zhang of Baidu Security.
- 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-476
- Also known as
- BIT-tensorflow-2021-37688, CVE-2021-37688, PYSEC-2021-310, PYSEC-2021-601, PYSEC-2021-799
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-vcjj-9vg7-vf68
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-37688
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/15691e456c7dc9bd6be203b09765b063bf4a380c
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-601.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-799.yaml
- github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-310.yaml
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow
- github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/149562d49faa709ea80df1d99fc41d005b81082a/tensorflow/lite/kernels/internal/optimized/optimized_ops.h#L268-L285
More TensorFlow advisories
All TensorFlow| Date | Advisory | Severity | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 252021 | Segfault on strings tensors with mistmatched dimensions, due to Go code CVE-2021-37692Medium5.5fixed in 2.5.1 | Medium5.5 | 2.5.1 |
| Aug 252021 | FPE in LSH in TFLite CVE-2021-37691Medium5.5fixed in 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 | Medium5.5 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |
| 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 | Infinite loop in TFLite CVE-2021-37686Medium5.5fixed in 2.6.0rc2 | Medium5.5 | 2.6.0rc2 |
| Aug 252021 | Heap OOB in TFLite's `Gather*` implementations CVE-2021-37687Medium5.5fixed in 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 | Medium5.5 | 2.3.4, 2.4.3, 2.5.1 |