CVE-2025-62402 is a security vulnerability classified under CWE-250 (Execution with Unnecessary Privileges) affecting Apache Airflow version 3.0.0. The flaw arises from the /api/v2/dagReports API endpoint, which allows authenticated API users to execute Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) code in the context of the API server process. This is possible when the API server is deployed in an environment where DAG files are accessible to it, enabling the execution of arbitrary DAG code with the privileges of the API server. Since Airflow DAGs define workflows and can contain arbitrary Python code, this vulnerability effectively allows an attacker with API access to execute arbitrary code on the server with elevated privileges. This could lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, or disruption of workflow execution. The vulnerability does not currently have a CVSS score and no known exploits have been reported in the wild. However, the impact is significant due to the nature of the code execution and privilege context. The vulnerability stems from improper privilege separation and insufficient access controls on the API endpoint and DAG file access. Apache Airflow is widely used for orchestrating complex workflows in data engineering and analytics pipelines, making this vulnerability critical in environments where Airflow is exposed or accessible to untrusted users.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2025-62402 can be substantial. Organizations relying on Apache Airflow 3.0.0 for critical data workflows risk unauthorized execution of arbitrary code within their infrastructure. This could lead to data breaches, manipulation of analytics results, disruption of business-critical workflows, and potential lateral movement within the network. The confidentiality of sensitive data processed by Airflow DAGs could be compromised, integrity of workflows and data pipelines could be undermined, and availability of services dependent on Airflow could be disrupted. Given the increasing adoption of cloud-native data platforms and automation in Europe, exploitation of this vulnerability could affect sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government agencies. The risk is heightened in multi-tenant or shared environments where DAG files and API servers are co-located or insufficiently isolated. Additionally, regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR increase the consequences of data breaches resulting from this vulnerability.

To mitigate CVE-2025-62402, European organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Restrict access to the /api/v2/dagReports API endpoint to trusted and authenticated users only, employing strong authentication and authorization controls. 2) Isolate the API server environment from DAG file storage by deploying Airflow components in separate containers or virtual machines with strict filesystem permissions to prevent unauthorized code execution. 3) Apply the principle of least privilege to the API server process, ensuring it runs with minimal permissions necessary to function, thereby limiting the impact of potential code execution. 4) Monitor API usage and logs for unusual or unauthorized access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts early. 5) Review and harden Airflow deployment configurations, disabling or restricting API endpoints that are not required. 6) Stay alert for official patches or updates from the Apache Software Foundation and apply them promptly once available. 7) Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on Airflow deployments to identify and remediate privilege escalation or code execution risks. 8) Educate DevOps and security teams about the risks of exposing Airflow APIs and the importance of secure deployment practices.