CVE-2026-68970 in Airflow
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2026
Apache Airflow's Task SDK did not mask the contents of a Variable whose JSON value is a list, so secrets stored in that shape appeared in cleartext in task logs and in the Rendered Templates UI. Masking was applied only when the deserialized value was a string or a dict; a list at the top level matched neither and was returned unmasked. Any authenticated user able to read the logs or rendered templates of a task that references such a Variable could recover the values, with no special configuration required. This is the list-shaped counterpart of CVE-2026-59244, whose fix covered the dict case only, so deployments that upgraded in response to that advisory remain affected and must upgrade again. Users are advised to upgrade to apache-airflow 3.3.1 or later.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2026
The vulnerability in Apache Airflow's Task SDK represents a critical information disclosure issue that stems from incomplete input sanitization within the variable masking mechanism. This flaw specifically affects how the system handles Variable values that are structured as JSON lists, creating a pathway for sensitive data exposure through task logging and UI rendering components. The root cause lies in the inconsistent application of security controls where only string and dictionary type variables receive proper masking treatment, leaving list-shaped variables vulnerable to cleartext disclosure.
The technical implementation flaw demonstrates a classic security boundary failure within the Airflow framework's variable handling system. When Variables are stored with JSON list structures containing secrets, the masking function fails to recognize these as sensitive data requiring protection. This occurs because the existing security logic performs type checking that only applies masking to string and dictionary objects, completely overlooking list containers even when they contain sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests specifically in the Rendered Templates UI and task logs where the unmasked variable values are displayed, creating multiple attack vectors for unauthorized access.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure as it affects the fundamental security posture of Airflow deployments that store secrets in list format. Any authenticated user with access to task logs or rendered templates can extract sensitive information without requiring elevated privileges or special configuration. This creates a persistent risk for organizations storing API keys, passwords, or other confidential data within list-structured Variables, particularly in environments where multiple users have access to monitoring and debugging interfaces. The vulnerability compounds existing risks since deployments that addressed CVE-2026-59244 remain vulnerable due to the incomplete fix scope.
The security implications align with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and represent a variant of the broader class of information disclosure vulnerabilities in configuration management systems. This issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials In Files) as it enables unauthorized access to stored credentials through log files and UI interfaces. Organizations using Airflow for workflow automation face significant risk if they store sensitive data in list structures, as the vulnerability operates at the application level without requiring network-based attacks or privilege escalation. The remediation requires upgrading to Apache Airflow version 3.3.1 or later, which implements comprehensive masking for all variable types including lists.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of consistent security controls across all data structures within application frameworks and demonstrates how partial fixes can leave systems vulnerable to similar attack patterns. The fact that this affects deployments that previously addressed CVE-2026-59244 underscores the need for thorough testing of security patches and the potential for cascading vulnerabilities in complex systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive inventory management of their Airflow variables to identify and remediate affected list-shaped secrets while ensuring proper upgrade procedures are followed across all deployment environments.