CVE-2022-40754 in Airflow
Summary
by MITRE • 09/21/2022
In Apache Airflow 2.3.0 through 2.3.4, there was an open redirect in the webserver's `/confirm` endpoint.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-40754 represents a critical open redirect flaw discovered in Apache Airflow versions 2.3.0 through 2.3.4, specifically affecting the webserver's /confirm endpoint. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's redirect functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the application's navigation behavior. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly validate redirect URLs, allowing attackers to craft malicious links that could redirect users to arbitrary external domains. Such vulnerabilities fall under CWE-601, which categorizes open redirect vulnerabilities as a serious security concern that can be exploited for phishing attacks, credential theft, and other malicious activities. The affected Apache Airflow instances operate with webserver components that handle user confirmations and navigation flows, making the /confirm endpoint a critical touchpoint for user interactions that inadvertently exposes this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the webserver processes redirect requests through the /confirm endpoint without proper validation of the target URL parameter. Attackers can exploit this by constructing malicious URLs that contain encoded redirect parameters pointing to malicious domains. When users click on these crafted links, they are unknowingly redirected to attacker-controlled websites, potentially leading to credential harvesting or malware delivery. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Apache Airflow is commonly used in enterprise environments where users trust the application interface, making social engineering attacks more effective. This particular flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which covers phishing through social engineering, as the open redirect creates ideal conditions for attackers to craft convincing phishing campaigns that leverage the legitimate Airflow application interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-40754 extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated exploitation attempts within the broader attack chain. Organizations using affected Apache Airflow versions face potential risks including unauthorized access to sensitive workflow data, privilege escalation opportunities, and compromised user credentials through phishing campaigns. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions within the 2.3.x release series indicates a prolonged exposure period, potentially allowing attackers to develop and refine exploitation techniques against affected systems. Security teams must consider that this vulnerability could be combined with other weaknesses in the application stack to create more severe attack vectors. The flaw represents a significant concern for organizations that rely on Apache Airflow for critical data processing and workflow automation, as the open redirect could be leveraged to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for redirect parameters, explicit URL whitelisting, and comprehensive security monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of affected Apache Airflow instances to versions that address the open redirect flaw in the webserver component. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as URL filtering and monitoring for suspicious redirect patterns in web traffic. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary redirect functionality where possible and implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied URL parameters. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred during the vulnerability's exposure period. The incident highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in web applications, particularly in enterprise workflow management systems where user trust and data integrity are paramount. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented as part of the overall security posture to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.