Apache Airflow Vulnerability Exposes Sensitive Details to Read-Only Users

A critical security flaw has emerged in Apache Airflow 3.0.3, exposing sensitive connection information to users with only read permissions.

The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-54831 and classified as “important” severity, fundamentally undermines the platform’s intended security model for handling sensitive data within workflow connections.

Apache Airflow version 3.0 introduced significant changes to how sensitive information in connections is managed, implementing a “write-only” model designed to restrict access to sensitive connection fields exclusively to Connection Editing Users.

This security enhancement was intended to prevent unauthorized access to critical authentication details, database credentials, and API keys stored within Airflow connections.

However, the implementation in version 3.0.3 contained a critical flaw that reversed these security improvements.

The vulnerability allows users with standard READ permissions to access sensitive connection information through both the Airflow API and web user interface.

This exposure occurs regardless of the AIRFLOW__CORE__HIDE_SENSITIVE_VAR_CONN_FIELDS configuration setting, which is specifically designed to mask sensitive connection details from unauthorized users.

The breach effectively renders the security configuration ineffective, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Airflow’s access controls.

Apache security analysts identified the vulnerability after observing unexpected behavior in connection handling mechanisms.

The flaw specifically affects Apache Airflow version 3.0.3, while earlier Airflow 2.x versions remain unaffected since they follow different connection handling protocols where exposing sensitive information to connection editors was the documented behavior.

Connection Access Control Mechanism

The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of the connection access control system introduced in Airflow 3.0.

When users with READ permissions query connection details via the /api/v1/connections/{connection_id} endpoint or access the connections interface through the web UI, the system incorrectly returns sensitive fields including passwords, tokens, and connection strings that should remain hidden.

{
  "connection_id": "postgres_default",
  "conn_type": "postgres",
  "host": "localhost",
  "login": "airflow",
  "password": "exposed_sensitive_data",
  "schema": "airflow",
  "port": 5432
}

Organizations using Apache Airflow 3.0.3 should immediately upgrade to version 3.0.4 or later to address this security vulnerability and restore proper access controls for sensitive connection information.

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