A Dag author could either (a) create a symlink under their task's log directory pointing to an arbitrary file readable by the API server process (read-path attack — e.g. `/etc/passwd` or `airflow.cfg`
A Dag author could either (a) create a symlink under their task's log directory pointing to an arbitrary file readable by the API server process (read-path attack — e.g. /etc/passwd or airflow.cfg) or (b) supply a task_id containing .. sequences accepted by the Task SDK's KEY_REGEX (write-path attack), and in both cases the FileTaskHandler resolves the log path outside the configured base_log_folder, leaking or overwriting arbitrary files. Only affects deployments where the worker log folder is shared with the API server. Users are advised to upgrade to apache-airflow 3.2.2 or later. As a defense-in-depth mitigation, deploy the worker and API server with separate log volumes so that worker-controlled paths cannot reach the API server's filesystem.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Python (PyPI) | apache-airflow | < 3.2.2 | 3.2.2 |
References
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40861
- https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/65325
- https://github.com/apache/airflow
- https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/apache-airflow/PYSEC-2026-181.yaml
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/823334db2559xjlwt59gpzjz47thnscl
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/31/1
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-89cj-xrpx-j79m
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-59- Platform
- Python (PyPI)
- Package
apache-airflow- Disclosed
- 01.06.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 14:18
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-89cj-xrpx-j79m - CC BY 4.0
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2026-181 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: apache-airflow
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 158
- First → latest
- 08.2018 09.2026
- Without a fix
- 4
- Exploited in attacks
- 2
Severity breakdown
- Critical 16
- High 49
- Medium 86
- Low 7
Disclosures per year
- 2018: 1
- 2019: 8
- 2020: 12
- 2021: 5
- 2022: 16
- 2023: 31
- 2024: 18
- 2025: 6
- 2026: 61
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A Dag author could either (a) create a symlink under their task's log directory pointing to an arbitrary file readable by the API server process (read-path attack — e.g. `/etc/passwd` or `airflow.cfg` this entry
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