Skip to content
TensorFlowGHSA-wp77-4gmm-7cq8

Incorrect validation of `SaveV2` inputs

High7.8CVE-2021-37648 · Published Aug 25, 2021 · updated Jul 8, 2026

### Impact The code for `tf.raw_ops.SaveV2` does not properly validate the inputs and an attacker can trigger a null pointer dereference: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.SaveV2( prefix=['tensorflow'], tensor_name=['v'], shape_and_slices=[], tensors=[1,2,3]) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/kernels/save_restore_v2_ops.cc) uses `ValidateInputs` to check that the input arguments are valid. This validation would have caught the illegal state represented by the reproducer above. However, the validation uses `OP_REQUIRES` which translates to setting the `Status` object of the current `OpKernelContext` to an error status, followed by an empty `return` statement which just terminates the execution of the function it is present in. However, this does not mean that the kernel execution is finalized: instead, execution continues from the next line in `Compute` that follows the call to `ValidateInputs`. This is equivalent to lacking the validation. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986](https://github.com/tensorflo...

GitHub advisory

Affected versions

PackageAffectedFixed in
tensorflow
PyPI
< 2.3.42.3.4
>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.32.4.3
>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.12.5.1
Details and references

### Impact The code for `tf.raw_ops.SaveV2` does not properly validate the inputs and an attacker can trigger a null pointer dereference: ```python import tensorflow as tf tf.raw_ops.SaveV2( prefix=['tensorflow'], tensor_name=['v'], shape_and_slices=[], tensors=[1,2,3]) ``` The [implementation](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/kernels/save_restore_v2_ops.cc) uses `ValidateInputs` to check that the input arguments are valid. This validation would have caught the illegal state represented by the reproducer above. However, the validation uses `OP_REQUIRES` which translates to setting the `Status` object of the current `OpKernelContext` to an error status, followed by an empty `return` statement which just terminates the execution of the function it is present in. However, this does not mean that the kernel execution is finalized: instead, execution continues from the next line in `Compute` that follows the call to `ValidateInputs`. This is equivalent to lacking the validation. ### Patches We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/9728c60e136912a12d99ca56e106b7cce7af5986). 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:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity from
GitHub (reviewed advisory)
Weakness
CWE-476
Also known as
BIT-tensorflow-2021-37648, CVE-2021-37648, PYSEC-2021-270, PYSEC-2021-561, PYSEC-2021-759

More TensorFlow advisories

All TensorFlow
Advisory
Heap out of bounds access in sparse reduction operations
High7.3Aug 25, 2021
Floating point exception in `SparseDenseCwiseDiv`
Medium5.5Aug 25, 2021
Null pointer dereference in `CompressElement`
High7.7Aug 25, 2021
Null pointer dereference in `RaggedTensorToTensor`
High7.7Aug 25, 2021
Null pointer dereference and heap OOB read in operations restoring tensors
High8.4Aug 25, 2021
Integer division by 0 in sparse reshaping
Medium5.5Aug 25, 2021

Critical advisories by email

Wednesdays: the week’s critical and high advisories in the AI and data stack, with the fixed versions. Only in weeks that have some.

Double opt-in. Unsubscribe any time.