CVE-2021-45230: Apache Airflow User Permissions Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2021-45230: In Apache Airflow prior to 2.2.0. Affects apache-airflow across 2 version ranges.
>= 1.10.0, < 2.0.0b1
>= 2.0.0, < 2.2.0
Fixed in 2.0.0b1 or 2.2.0, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- airflow · Bitnami
The same CVE-2021-45230 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
Apache Airflow is an open-source platform used for programmatically authoring, scheduling, and monitoring workflows. It provides a rich set of features for managing and executing data pipelines. The vulnerability in Apache Airflow allows users with 'can_create' permissions on DAG Runs to create Dag Runs for dags that they don't have 'edit' permissions for.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a specific case where a user with 'can_create' permissions can bypass the 'edit' permissions restriction and create Dag Runs for unauthorized dags. This can lead to unauthorized execution of workflows and potential data breaches. The vulnerability affects Apache Airflow versions prior to 2.2.0.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 3.3.2 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "apache-airflow==3.3.2"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
>= 1.10.0, < 2.0.0b12.0.0b1pip install --upgrade "apache-airflow==2.0.0b1" -
>= 2.0.0, < 2.2.02.2.0pip install --upgrade "apache-airflow==2.2.0"
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to upgrade to the fixed version of Apache Airflow to mitigate the risk.
Conclusion
The vulnerability in Apache Airflow allows users with 'can_create' permissions to create Dag Runs for unauthorized dags. To mitigate this risk, it is crucial to upgrade to Apache Airflow version 2.2.0 or later. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for apache-airflow →
FAQ
Apache Airflow is an open-source platform for programmatically authoring, scheduling, and monitoring workflows.
This vulnerability allows users with 'can_create' permissions to create Dag Runs for dags they don't have 'edit' permissions for, potentially leading to unauthorized execution of workflows and data breaches.
The vulnerability affects Apache Airflow versions prior to 2.2.0.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to Apache Airflow version 2.2.0 or later.
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. Upgrading to the fixed version is the recommended solution.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for apache-airflow.
