CVE-2026-25219 in Airflow
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2026
The `access_key` and `connection_string` connection properties were not marked as sensitive names in secrets masker. This means that user with read permission could see the values in Connection UI, as well as when Connection was accidentaly logged to logs, those values could be seen in the logs. Azure Service Bus used those properties to store sensitive values. Possibly other providers could be also affected if they used the same fields to store sensitive data.
If you used Azure Service Bus connection with those values set or if you have other connections with those values storing sensitve values, you should upgrade Airflow to 3.2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2026-25219 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Apache Airflow's connection management system, specifically affecting how sensitive credential data is handled during logging and user interface display operations. This weakness stems from improper configuration of the secrets masking functionality, which is designed to protect sensitive information from accidental exposure in system logs and user interfaces. The flaw manifests when connection properties such as `access_key` and `connection_string` are not properly categorized as sensitive fields within the secrets masker component, allowing unauthorized access to credential values that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the secrets masking layer within Airflow's connection handling architecture, where certain connection properties that contain sensitive authentication data are not recognized as requiring protection. This misconfiguration allows the system to display these values in the Connection UI even for users with read-only permissions, and more critically, permits these sensitive values to be logged to system logs without proper sanitization. The vulnerability specifically impacts Azure Service Bus connections where these properties store authentication tokens and connection strings that provide access to cloud resources, but the flaw could potentially affect other connection providers that utilize similar field names for sensitive data storage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating significant security risks for organizations relying on Airflow for workflow automation and orchestration. When sensitive connection information appears in logs, it creates persistent exposure windows where unauthorized personnel with access to log files can retrieve authentication credentials, potentially enabling lateral movement attacks, unauthorized resource access, and data exfiltration. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where multiple users share access to log systems or where log retention policies maintain access to historical credential information. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-552, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through logging mechanisms, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the connection management subsystem.
Organizations utilizing Airflow with Azure Service Bus connections or similar providers that store sensitive data in `access_key` and `connection_string` fields face substantial risk exposure from this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Airflow version 3.2.0, which includes the proper implementation of secrets masking for these sensitive connection properties. This upgrade addresses the root cause by ensuring that the secrets masker correctly identifies and protects these credential fields, preventing their display in user interfaces and their inclusion in log output. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on credentials in files, by implementing proper credential handling and protection mechanisms that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information stored in connection configurations.
Additional security measures should include implementing comprehensive log monitoring to detect any potential credential exposure that may have occurred before the upgrade, reviewing connection configurations to identify other potentially affected sensitive fields, and establishing regular security assessments of connection management components. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections and access controls to limit who can view connection details, while ensuring that all connection properties containing sensitive data are properly categorized in the secrets masking configuration. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining proper information security practices around credential management and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration issues can create significant security risks in complex automation platforms.