CVE-2025-27555 in Airflow
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2026
Airflow versions before 2.11.1 have a vulnerability that allows authenticated users with audit log access to see sensitive values in audit logs which they should not see. When sensitive connection parameters were set via airflow CLI, values of those variables appeared in the audit log and were stored unencrypted in the Airflow database. While this risk is limited to users with audit log access, it is recommended to upgrade to Airflow 2.11.1 or a later version, which addresses this issue. Users who previously used the CLI to set connections should manually delete entries with those connection sensitive values from the log table. This is similar but not the same issue as CVE-2024-50378
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2026
This vulnerability affects apache airflow versions prior to 2.11.1 and represents a significant information disclosure risk within the auditing framework. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of sensitive connection parameters when they are set through the airflow command line interface. Specifically, when users configure connection parameters such as passwords, tokens, or other credential information via the CLI, these values are inadvertently logged in plain text within the audit logs. The vulnerability creates a situation where authenticated users who possess audit log access can potentially extract sensitive information that should remain protected. This issue falls under the category of improper data handling and information exposure, aligning with CWE-200 which addresses improper handling of sensitive information. The flaw demonstrates a critical gap in the principle of least privilege as it allows users with audit access to view data that should be restricted to administrators or specific privileged roles.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the logging and data persistence layer within airflow's architecture. When connection parameters are set through the CLI, the system stores these values in the audit log table without proper sanitization or encryption. This creates a persistent exposure where sensitive values remain accessible in the database in plaintext format. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the intersection of authentication and audit logging mechanisms, where legitimate audit functionality becomes a vector for information leakage. The system fails to implement proper data masking or redaction policies for sensitive parameters, allowing them to flow through the normal operational pipeline without adequate protection measures. This represents a breakdown in the security controls that should separate audit logging from sensitive data exposure, creating an attack surface that extends beyond the intended scope of audit access privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. While the risk is limited to users who already possess audit log access, this access level is often granted to users who may not require such extensive visibility into system operations. Attackers who can obtain audit access through other means could leverage this vulnerability to extract credentials, API keys, or other sensitive connection information that would otherwise be protected. The exposure of sensitive values in plaintext within the database creates a persistent threat that remains active until manually addressed by administrators. This vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements for data protection and privacy regulations where sensitive information must be properly safeguarded. The potential for credential compromise increases significantly when attackers can extract connection parameters that may be used across multiple systems or applications within the airflow environment. Organizations using older airflow versions face elevated risk of unauthorized access to their operational infrastructure and data processing capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement the recommended upgrade to airflow version 2.11.1 or later to address this vulnerability at its source. The upgrade includes proper sanitization of sensitive parameters within audit logs, ensuring that connection values are not stored in plaintext within the database. Additionally, system administrators should conduct manual cleanup operations to remove existing sensitive entries from the audit log tables, as these entries represent persistent exposure points that cannot be resolved through simple version upgrades alone. This remediation process should include thorough auditing of existing log entries to identify and purge any sensitive information that may have been previously logged. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive data protection policies within operational environments, particularly in systems that handle sensitive connection information. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized access to audit logs and establish proper access control measures to ensure that audit access is granted only to authorized personnel with legitimate operational needs. The remediation approach should also include regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other operational systems and ensure that proper data handling practices are maintained throughout the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper information handling and the need for robust security controls in all operational processes, particularly those involving sensitive data management and access control mechanisms.