CVE-2025-54550: apache software foundation apache airflow Code Injection

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-54550 is a high (CVSS 8.1) Code Injection vulnerability in apache software foundation apache airflow. EPSS estimates a 0.58% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 46.5% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 15-04-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 12-08-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

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.

• CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.