HighVulnerability

CVE-2021-41219: TensorFlow sparse matrix multiplication undefined behavior from null reference

Source: NVD(opens in a new tab)
Identifier: CVE-2021-41219
Published: November 5, 2021
Record updated: October 9, 2026

Affected: tensorflow >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1, fixed in 2.6.1, released November 1, 2021, 5 days before disclosure
tensorflow >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2, fixed in 2.5.2, released November 1, 2021, 5 days before disclosure
tensorflow < 2.4.4, fixed in 2.4.4, released November 1, 2021, 5 days before disclosure
and 6 more
Known exploitation: Not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog at the last check.
EPSS: 0.2%

Summary

TensorFlow's sparse matrix multiplication code binds a reference to nullptr when the dimensions of a or b are 0 or less. This is undefined behavior, and writing to the resulting empty output tensor can cause a heap out-of-bounds access.

Mitigation

The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.7.0. The commit will also be cherry-picked to TensorFlow 2.6.1, TensorFlow 2.5.2, and TensorFlow 2.4.4.

Details

Scores and exploitation

CVSS score: 7.8(high)
Patch available: Yes
EPSS: 0.2%Estimated probability that this CVE is exploited in the next 30 days, from the FIRST Exploit Prediction Scoring System. Read on November 4, 2026.

Weaknesses and techniques

Weakness (CWE): CWE-824
CWE-125
Attack pattern (CAPEC): CAPEC-540

Affected

Packages: tensorflow@>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 (fixed: 2.6.1)
tensorflow@>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2 (fixed: 2.5.2)
tensorflow@< 2.4.4 (fixed: 2.4.4)
tensorflow-cpu@>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 (fixed: 2.6.1)
tensorflow-cpu@>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2 (fixed: 2.5.2)
tensorflow-cpu@< 2.4.4 (fixed: 2.4.4)
tensorflow-gpu@>= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1 (fixed: 2.6.1)
tensorflow-gpu@>= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2 (fixed: 2.5.2)
tensorflow-gpu@< 2.4.4 (fixed: 2.4.4)
Vendors: Google

Classification

Attack type: Other
Attack sophistication: Moderate
AI component targeted: Framework
Impact: Integrity,
Availability
Labels: security

How this record was produced

Summaries, mitigations and labels on this page are generated automatically from the source. The linked source is authoritative. The source gives this advisory a description and no title, so the title above is a headline generated from the source text.

Original source: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41219

First tracked: February 15, 2026 at 08:40 PM ET, from NVD/CVE Database

Classifier: claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v4

Classifier confidence: 95% (self-assessed)

Affected packages in the Exposure Registry

Matched by package name and ecosystem. Each entry shows whether the package delegates to a language model and how many tracked packages depend on it.

tensorflowPyPINo LLM dependency detected · 26 tracked dependents
tensorflow-gpuPyPINo LLM dependency detected · 2 tracked dependents

Summary

Mitigation

Affected packages in the Exposure Registry

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