RCE in Apache Airflow
CVE-2025-54550
The example example_xcom that was included in airflow documentation implemented unsafe pattern of reading value from xcom in the way that could be exploited to allow UI user who had access to modify XComs to perform arbitrary execution of code on the worker. Since the UI users are already highly trusted, this is a Low severity vulnerability. It does not affect Airflow release - example_dags are not supposed to be enabled in production environment, however users following the example could replicate the bad pattern. Documentation of Airflow 3.2.0 contains version of the example with improved resiliance for that case. Users who followed that pattern are advised to adjust their implementations accordingly.
Vulnerability class: RCE (Remote Code Execution)
EPSS: 0.006 (44.2th percentile) — read the EPSS interpretation.
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 8.1 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N.
Affected products
- Apache Airflow
- Apache Software Foundation Airflow — versions 0
Weakness classification (CWE)
References
- security@apache.org (vendor-advisory, Mailing List, Vendor Advisory)
- security@apache.org (patch, Issue Tracking)
- af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 (Mailing List, Third Party Advisory)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-54550?
- CVE-2025-54550 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Airflow, classified under Code Injection. CVSS score: 8.1/10. Published 2026-04-15.
- How severe is CVE-2025-54550?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 8.1 out of 10.