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CVE Record

CVE-2021-29592: Null pointer dereference in TFLite's `Reshape` operator

TensorFlow is an end-to-end open source platform for machine learning. The fix for CVE-2020-15209(https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2020-15209) missed the case when the target shape of `Reshape` operator is given by the elements of a 1-D tensor. As such, the fix for the vulnerability(https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/9c1dc920d8ffb4893d6c9d27d1f039607b326743/tensorflow/lite/core/subgraph.cc#L1062-L1074) allowed passing a null-buffer-backed tensor with a 1D shape. The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.5.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.4.2, TensorFlow 2.3.3, TensorFlow 2.2.3 and TensorFlow 2.1.4, as these are also affected and still in supported range.

MediumCVSS 4.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2021-29592 is a TensorFlow Lite bug that can crash or mis-handle processing in the Reshape operator under specific malformed tensor conditions. It is not reported as remotely exploitable or actively exploited in the supplied sources, but it matters where affected TensorFlow versions run untrusted ML inputs.

Executive priority

Handle as a moderate maintenance fix. Prioritize faster if TensorFlow Lite is used in shared, multi-user, or customer-controlled model-processing workflows. It does not appear to require emergency response based on the supplied evidence.

Technical view

The prior fix for CVE-2020-15209 missed target shapes supplied by a 1-D tensor. TFLite Reshape could accept a null-buffer-backed tensor with a 1-D shape, causing a CWE-476 null pointer dereference. CVSS 3.1 is 4.4: local access, low privileges, no user interaction, low integrity and availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to systems using affected TensorFlow releases: before 2.1.4, 2.2.0 before 2.2.3, 2.3.0 before 2.3.3, or 2.4.0 before 2.4.2. Risk is higher where local users or automated workflows can run untrusted TFLite models or tensors.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources do not show public exploitation or CISA KEV listing. The CVSS vector indicates exploitation requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction. Treat this as a reliability and integrity risk in ML processing environments rather than an internet-facing emergency.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on TFLite Reshape behavior and version provenance. The key flaw is the missed 1-D tensor target-shape case from the CVE-2020-15209 fix. Avoid assuming broader TensorFlow components are affected unless vendor sources confirm it.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to TensorFlow 2.5.0 or a patched supported backport release.
  • Use TensorFlow 2.4.2, 2.3.3, 2.2.3, or 2.1.4 where applicable.
  • Inventory applications, containers, and notebooks that bundle TensorFlow or TFLite.
  • Restrict untrusted local users and workflows from executing arbitrary TFLite inputs.
  • Check TensorFlow vendor guidance before relying on compensating controls.

Validation and detection

  • Review dependency lockfiles and container manifests for affected TensorFlow versions.
  • Confirm runtime images load a patched TensorFlow release, not only source repositories.
  • Identify services that process externally supplied or user-controlled TFLite models.
  • Regression test TFLite Reshape workloads after upgrading TensorFlow.
  • Record exception cases where upgrade is deferred and document owner approval.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-29592 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.4CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L1.82.5Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.4Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-29592Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
tensorflowtensorflow< 2.1.4, >= 2.2.0, < 2.2.3, >= 2.3.0, < 2.3.3, >= 2.4.0, < 2.4.2Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-476

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-476 · source CWE mapping

NULL Pointer Dereference

NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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