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AVID-2026-R0849
Description
Out of bounds read via null pointer dereference in TensorFlow (CVE-2021-37659)
Details
TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. In affected versions an attacker can cause undefined behavior via binding a reference to null pointer in all binary cwise operations that don’t require broadcasting (e.g., gradients of binary cwise operations). The implementation assumes that the two inputs have exactly the same number of elements but does not check that. Hence, when the eigen functor executes it triggers heap OOB reads and undefined behavior due to binding to nullptr. We have patched the issue in GitHub commit 93f428fd1768df147171ed674fee1fc5ab8309ec. 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.
Reason for inclusion in AVID: CVE-2021-37659 targets TensorFlow, an ML framework widely used in AI pipelines. It describes a software vulnerability (out-of-bounds read due to a null pointer dereference) affecting TensorFlow versions with a patch referenced, indicating a vulnerability in a core AI software component. This is a software supply-chain concern for general-purpose AI systems, not hardware/firmware-only. The report provides sufficient evidence (advisory, affected versions, commit patch, CVSS details) to classify as an AI-related security vulnerability in the software stack.
References
- NVD entry
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-q3g3-h9r4-prrc
- https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/93f428fd1768df147171ed674fee1fc5ab8309ec
Affected or Relevant Artifacts
- Developer: tensorflow
- Deployer: tensorflow
- Artifact Details:
| Type | Name |
|---|---|
| System | tensorflow |
Impact
AVID Taxonomy Categorization
- Risk domains: Security
- SEP subcategories: S0100: Software Vulnerability
- Lifecycle stages: L06: Deployment
CVSS
| Version | 3.1 |
| Vector String | CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:H |
| Base Score | 7.3 |
| Base Severity | 🔴 High |
| Attack Vector | LOCAL |
| Attack Complexity | 🟢 Low |
| Privileges Required | 🟢 Low |
| User Interaction | NONE |
| Scope | UNCHANGED |
| Confidentiality Impact | 🔴 High |
| Integrity Impact | 🟢 Low |
| Availability Impact | 🔴 High |
CWE
| ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-476 | CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference |
| CWE-125 | CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read |
Other information
- Report Type: Advisory
- Credits:
- Date Reported: 2021-08-12
- Version: 0.3.3
- AVID Entry