---
id: CVE-2021-41214
aliases:
  - GHSA-vwhq-49r4-gj9v
  - BIT-tensorflow-2021-41214
  - PYSEC-2021-406
  - PYSEC-2021-623
  - PYSEC-2021-821
title: Reference binding to `nullptr` in `tf.ragged.cross`
summary: Reference binding to `nullptr` in `tf.ragged.cross`
severity: high
cvss: 7.8
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'
vendor: tensorflow
product: tensorflow
ecosystem: pip
affected:
  - 'tensorflow >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1'
  - 'tensorflow >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2'
  - tensorflow < 2.4.4
  - 'tensorflow-cpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1'
  - 'tensorflow-cpu >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2'
  - tensorflow-cpu < 2.4.4
  - 'tensorflow-gpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1'
  - 'tensorflow-gpu >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2'
  - tensorflow-gpu < 2.4.4
patched:
  - tensorflow 2.6.1
  - tensorflow 2.5.2
  - tensorflow 2.4.4
  - tensorflow-cpu 2.6.1
  - tensorflow-cpu 2.5.2
  - tensorflow-cpu 2.4.4
  - tensorflow-gpu 2.6.1
  - tensorflow-gpu 2.5.2
  - tensorflow-gpu 2.4.4
published: '2021-11-10'
updated: '2026-07-08'
source: OSV
sourceUrl: 'https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-vwhq-49r4-gj9v'
references:
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/security/advisories/GHSA-vwhq-49r4-gj9v
  - url: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-41214'
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/fa6b7782fbb14aa08d767bc799c531f5e1fb3bb8
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-cpu/PYSEC-2021-623.yaml
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow-gpu/PYSEC-2021-821.yaml
  - url: >-
      https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tensorflow/PYSEC-2021-406.yaml
  - url: 'https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow'
tags:
  - osv
  - pip
epss: 0.00217
epssPercentile: 0.10705
ingestedAt: '2026-07-08T18:25:53.496Z'
---

## Overview

### Impact
The [shape inference code for `tf.ragged.cross`](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/blob/8d72537c6abf5a44103b57b9c2e22c14f5f49698/tensorflow/core/ops/ragged_array_ops.cc#L64) has an undefined behavior due to binding a reference to `nullptr`. In the following scenario, this results in a crash:

```python
import tensorflow as tf
  
@tf.function                 
def test():     
  y = tf.ragged.cross([tf.ragged.constant([['1']]),'2'])
  return y                   
                             
test()        
```                          
             
### Patches
We have patched the issue in GitHub commit [fa6b7782fbb14aa08d767bc799c531f5e1fb3bb8](https://github.com/tensorflow/tensorflow/commit/fa6b7782fbb14aa08d767bc799c531f5e1fb3bb8).
  
The fix will be included in TensorFlow 2.7.0. We will also cherrypick this commit on TensorFlow 2.6.1, TensorFlow 2.5.2, and TensorFlow 2.4.4, 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 members of the Aivul Team from Qihoo 360.

## Affected packages

- `tensorflow >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1`
- `tensorflow >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2`
- `tensorflow < 2.4.4`
- `tensorflow-cpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1`
- `tensorflow-cpu >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2`
- `tensorflow-cpu < 2.4.4`
- `tensorflow-gpu >= 2.6.0, < 2.6.1`
- `tensorflow-gpu >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.2`
- `tensorflow-gpu < 2.4.4`

## Remediation

Upgrade to a patched release:

- `tensorflow 2.6.1`
- `tensorflow 2.5.2`
- `tensorflow 2.4.4`
- `tensorflow-cpu 2.6.1`
- `tensorflow-cpu 2.5.2`
- `tensorflow-cpu 2.4.4`
- `tensorflow-gpu 2.6.1`
- `tensorflow-gpu 2.5.2`
- `tensorflow-gpu 2.4.4`