CVE-2021-37637

Name: CVE-2021-37637
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2021-08-12T19:15:08.5+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.5/10EPSS 0.16%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2021-37637 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.5/10 on the CVSS scale. TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. It is possible to trigger a null pointer dereference in TensorFlow by passing an invalid input to `tf.raw_ops.CompressElement`. EPSS estimates a 0.16% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. It is possible to trigger a null pointer dereference in TensorFlow by passing an invalid input to `tf.raw_ops.CompressElement`. 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. We have patched the issue in GitHub 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.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.16%

5.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-476

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Google	Tensorflow	>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.4	—
Google	Tensorflow	>= 2.4.0, < 2.4.3	—
Google	Tensorflow	2.5.0	—
Google	Tensorflow	2.6.0	Rc0

References

https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5dc7f6981fdaf74c8c5be41f393df705841fb7c5Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-c9qf-r67m-p7cgThird Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/5dc7f6981fdaf74c8c5be41f393df705841fb7c5Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-c9qf-r67m-p7cgThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Aug 12, 2021
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2021-37637?

How severe is CVE-2021-37637?

CVE-2021-37637 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.16% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2021-37637?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2021-37637?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST