CVE-2026-45361: Apache Airflow Providers-Google SSH Host-Key Verification Disabled
Summary
CVE-2026-45361: Apache Airflow providers-google's ComputeEngineSSHHook disables SSH host-key verification by default, exposing SSH traffic between an Airflow worker and a Compute Engine VM to in-path network attackers who can intercept... Affects apache-airflow-providers-google versions < 22.0.0. Fixed in 22.0.0. How to fix ↓
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Background
Apache Airflow is an open-source platform designed to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows. The 'apache-airflow-providers-google' package provides integration with Google Cloud services, enabling users to manage resources and workflows in the Google Cloud environment. This package includes various hooks, operators, and sensors to facilitate interactions with Google services. However, a significant security issue has been identified in the ComputeEngineSSHHook, which disables SSH host-key verification by default, posing a risk to secure communications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the ComputeEngineSSHHook's default configuration, which does not verify SSH host keys. This lack of verification allows in-path network attackers to intercept or modify SSH traffic between an Airflow worker and a Compute Engine VM. The ramifications of this vulnerability include potential unauthorized access to sensitive data, session hijacking, and the ability to execute malicious commands on the target VM. The vulnerability is classified with a CVSS score of 8.1, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 22.7.0 as of 23 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "apache-airflow-providers-google==22.7.0"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
22.0.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "apache-airflow-providers-google==22.0.0"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can manually enable SSH host-key verification in their configurations. This can be done by setting the 'verify_host_key' parameter to 'True' in the ComputeEngineSSHHook instantiation. Example code: 'hook = ComputeEngineSSHHook(verify_host_key=True)'. However, upgrading to the patched version is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
The vulnerability CVE-2026-45361 in the 'apache-airflow-providers-google' package poses a significant risk due to the disabled SSH host-key verification. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to version 22.0.0 or later to mitigate this risk. Additionally, temporary workarounds can be implemented to enhance security until the upgrade is completed.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows attackers to intercept or modify SSH traffic, potentially leading to unauthorized access and data breaches.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without any signup.
The CVSS score of this vulnerability is 8.1, indicating a high severity level.
Yes, upgrading to version 22.0.0 or later of the 'apache-airflow-providers-google' package addresses this vulnerability.
If immediate upgrading is not possible, ensure that SSH host-key verification is enabled in your configurations as a temporary workaround.
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