A significant security vulnerability has been uncovered in Apache Airflow version 3.0.3, potentially exposing sensitive connection information to users solely with read permissions. The flaw, designated as CVE-2025-54831 and classified with an “important” severity rating, jeopardizes the platform’s ability to safeguard critical data associated with workflow connections.
Introduced in the Airflow 3.0 release, the intention was to enhance the management of sensitive information through a “write-only” model, which restricted access to connection details to authorized editing users. This modification aimed to prevent unauthorized visibility into crucial information such as authentication credentials, database keys, and API tokens, all essential for operational security within the Airflow ecosystem.
Nevertheless, version 3.0.3 harbored a flaw that compromised these security enhancements, allowing standard users with READ permissions access to sensitive connectivity details via the Airflow API and its web user interface. Irrespective of the configuration settings, particularly AIRFLOW__CORE__HIDE_SENSITIVE_VAR_CONN_FIELDS, which was expected to obscure sensitive connection data from unauthorized eyes, the vulnerability emerged as a significant concern for organizations relying on Airflow’s security protocols.
Analysts from the Apache security team detected this vulnerability after noticing unusual behavior within the connection handling systems. The breach specifically impacts Apache Airflow 3.0.3; earlier 2.x versions do not exhibit the same risk due to differing connection management frameworks that clearly documented access permissions for connection editors.
The core issue arises from an incorrect implementation of the connection access control mechanism introduced in version 3.0. When users with READ permissions request connection details via the /api/v1/connections/{connection_id} endpoint or access the connection interface through the web UI, the system erroneously reveals sensitive fields such as passwords, tokens, and connection strings that were meant to be concealed.
For example, an organization querying connection data might inadvertently expose sensitive information, including the following:
{
“connection_id”: “postgres_default”,
“conn_type”: “postgres”,
“host”: “localhost”,
“login”: “airflow”,
“password”: “exposed_sensitive_data”,
“schema”: “airflow”,
“port”: 5432
}
Organizations dependent on Apache Airflow 3.0.3 are urged to upgrade immediately to version 3.0.4 or higher to rectify this vulnerability and restored appropriate access controls for sensitive connection information.
As the security landscape evolves, it is crucial for organizations to be vigilant about potential exploitation techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework. This incident likely relates to tactics such as initial access and privilege escalation, which could permit unauthorized users to exploit the system due to a fundamental oversight in access control.
In light of these developments, continual updates and proactive security measures are imperative for any organization employing Apache Airflow to ensure the safeguarding of their sensitive operational data.
