CVE-2026-41017: Apache Airflow: JWT cookie missing Secure flag in JWTRefreshMiddleware behind HTTPS-terminating proxy
Apache Airflow's JWTRefreshMiddleware set the JWT auth cookie without the Secure flag, so deployments running the Airflow API server behind an HTTPS-terminating reverse proxy (e.g. nginx / Envoy / a managed load balancer that terminates TLS and forwards plaintext to the API server, the default cloud-native topology) would have the user's session JWT replayed over any cleartext HTTP request to the same host. A network-positioned attacker (Wi-Fi MITM, hostile LAN, captive-portal proxy) could induce a logged-in user's browser to issue an HTTP request to the deployment's hostname and capture the JWT cookie out of that request, then replay it against the authenticated API. Affects deployments where the Airflow API server is reached through a TLS-terminating proxy and the cookie's secure-by-default protection is load-bearing for session integrity. Users are advised to upgrade to apache-airflow 3.2.2 or later.
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
apache-airflowto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.2.2Patch CVE-2026-41017 - Compensating control
Ensure the Airflow API is not reachable over cleartext HTTP from a network-positioned attacker (e.g., avoid topologies where TLS is terminated by a proxy/load balancer and the API receives plaintext on the same hostname); only allow HTTPS end-to-end so the JWT auth cookie is not sent over HTTP.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-41017?
CVE-2026-41017 has a medium severity rating of 5.9 according to the CVSS 3.1 scoring system.
What is the risk associated with CVE-2026-41017?
CVE-2026-41017 carries a risk score of 37, indicating potential security vulnerabilities in deployments.
How do I fix CVE-2026-41017?
To fix CVE-2026-41017, ensure to apply the available patch provided by Apache for the JWTRefreshMiddleware.
What systems are affected by CVE-2026-41017?
CVE-2026-41017 affects Apache Airflow implementations that utilize JWT authentication without the Secure flag for cookies.
What is the impact of CVE-2026-41017?
The impact of CVE-2026-41017 is the potential for unauthorized cookie theft due to the absence of the Secure flag in the JWT authentication cookie.