CVE-2017-17835 in Airflow
Summary
by MITRE
In Apache Airflow 1.8.2 and earlier, a CSRF vulnerability allowed for a remote command injection on a default install of Airflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17835 represents a critical security flaw in Apache Airflow versions 1.8.2 and earlier, where a cross-site request forgery vulnerability was discovered that could lead to remote command injection on default installations. This issue stems from insufficient validation of user input within the web interface, particularly affecting the task execution functionality that allows users to trigger DAG runs and task instances through the graphical user interface. The flaw exists in the way the application handles form submissions and request parameters, creating an attack surface where malicious actors could manipulate the system through crafted HTTP requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied data in the Airflow web server's task execution endpoints. When users submit task execution requests through the web interface, the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize input parameters that are subsequently used in command construction. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands through specially crafted form data that gets executed on the server with the privileges of the Airflow process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects default installations where security hardening measures are not implemented, making it exploitable in environments where the application runs with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17835 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with a pathway to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. This capability allows threat actors to potentially gain full control over the Airflow environment, access sensitive workflow data, exfiltrate information, or establish persistent access through backdoor installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in production environments where Airflow serves as a workflow orchestration platform for critical business processes, as successful exploitation could disrupt operations or compromise data integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network, potentially accessing other systems connected to the Airflow infrastructure.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Apache Airflow versions 1.8.3 or later, which contain patches addressing the CSRF validation issues and input sanitization problems. Organizations should also implement proper network segmentation to limit access to the Airflow web interface, enforce strict authentication controls, and monitor for suspicious activity patterns. The fix involves implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms and ensuring that user input is properly sanitized before being used in command construction processes. Additionally, security teams should review and harden the default Airflow configuration, disable unnecessary features, and implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. This issue aligns with CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the remote code execution implications of the vulnerability.