CVE-2026-48828: CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Apache Software Foundation Apache Airflow
The Bulk Variables API in Apache Airflow called the redactor without passing the variable's key, so the key-based `should_hide_value_for_key` check (which triggers on secret-suffixed key names like `*_password` / `*_token` / `*_secret`) could not fire for JSON-decodable variable values. An authenticated UI/API user with bulk Variable read permission could retrieve plaintext values from JSON variables whose key would otherwise trigger redaction. Affects deployments that store sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names. Users are advised to upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.3.0 or later (the fix landed on `main` after 3.2.2; no 3.2.x backport).
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The Bulk Variables API in Apache Airflow fails to pass the variable's key to the redactor function, bypassing the key-based redaction check that hides sensitive values for keys ending with secret-related suffixes. This allows authenticated users with bulk Variable read permission to retrieve plaintext sensitive data from JSON variables that would normally be redacted. The vulnerability affects deployments storing sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names. The fix was introduced in Apache Airflow 3.3.0; no backport is available for the 3.2.x branch.
Potential Impact
An authenticated user with bulk Variable read permission can access sensitive information in plaintext that should be redacted, potentially exposing secrets such as passwords, tokens, or keys stored in JSON variables. This exposure could lead to unauthorized access or misuse of sensitive credentials within affected Airflow deployments.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Apache Airflow to version 3.3.0 or later, where the issue is fixed. There is no backport for 3.2.x versions. Until upgrading, restrict bulk Variable read permissions to trusted users only to minimize exposure risk.
CVE-2026-48828: CWE-200: Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor in Apache Software Foundation Apache Airflow
Description
The Bulk Variables API in Apache Airflow called the redactor without passing the variable's key, so the key-based `should_hide_value_for_key` check (which triggers on secret-suffixed key names like `*_password` / `*_token` / `*_secret`) could not fire for JSON-decodable variable values. An authenticated UI/API user with bulk Variable read permission could retrieve plaintext values from JSON variables whose key would otherwise trigger redaction. Affects deployments that store sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names. Users are advised to upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.3.0 or later (the fix landed on `main` after 3.2.2; no 3.2.x backport).
CVSS v3.1
Score 6.5medium
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The Bulk Variables API in Apache Airflow fails to pass the variable's key to the redactor function, bypassing the key-based redaction check that hides sensitive values for keys ending with secret-related suffixes. This allows authenticated users with bulk Variable read permission to retrieve plaintext sensitive data from JSON variables that would normally be redacted. The vulnerability affects deployments storing sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names. The fix was introduced in Apache Airflow 3.3.0; no backport is available for the 3.2.x branch.
Potential Impact
An authenticated user with bulk Variable read permission can access sensitive information in plaintext that should be redacted, potentially exposing secrets such as passwords, tokens, or keys stored in JSON variables. This exposure could lead to unauthorized access or misuse of sensitive credentials within affected Airflow deployments.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Apache Airflow to version 3.3.0 or later, where the issue is fixed. There is no backport for 3.2.x versions. Until upgrading, restrict bulk Variable read permissions to trusted users only to minimize exposure risk.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- apache
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-23T13:48:30.828Z
- Cvss Version
- null
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a4ccfd027e9c79719609a6b
Added to database: 07/07/2026, 10:07:12 UTC
Last enriched: 07/07/2026, 10:22:12 UTC
Last updated: 08/20/2026, 22:52:13 UTC
Views: 131
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