CVE-2021-38540: Apache Airflow: Variable Import endpoint missed authentication check

Published Sep 9, 2021
·
Updated

The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3. This allowed unauthenticated users to hit that endpoint to add/modify Airflow variables used in DAGs, potentially resulting in a denial of service, information disclosure or remote code execution. This issue affects Apache Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3.

Affected Software

2 affected componentsFixes available
Apache Airflow>=2.0.0<2.1.3
pip/apache-airflow>=2.0.0<2.1.3
2.1.3

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade pip/apache-airflow to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 2.1.3

Event History

Sep 9, 2021
CVE Published
via MITRE·03:05 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·03:05 PM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
May 24, 2022
Advisory Published
07:14 PM
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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2021-38540?

CVE-2021-38540 is a vulnerability in Apache Airflow that allows unauthenticated users to add/modify Airflow variables used in DAGs, potentially resulting in a denial of service, information disclosure, or remote code execution.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2021-38540?

CVE-2021-38540 has a severity rating of 9.8, which is classified as critical.

3

How does CVE-2021-38540 impact Airflow?

CVE-2021-38540 allows unauthenticated users to hit the variable import endpoint in Airflow, which can lead to various security risks such as denial of service, information disclosure, or remote code execution.

4

How can I fix CVE-2021-38540?

To fix CVE-2021-38540, upgrade your Apache Airflow installation to version 2.1.3 or later.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2021-38540?

More information about CVE-2021-38540 can be found at the following references: [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38540), [Apache mailing list](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rac2ed9118f64733e47b4f1e82ddc8c8020774698f13328ca742b03a2@%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E), [Airflow mailing list](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb34c3dd1a815456355217eef34060789f771b6f77c3a3dec77de2064%40%3Cusers.airflow.apache.org%3E).

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