CVE-2026-50203: apache software foundation apache airflow sftp provider Path Traversal

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2026-50203 is a critical (CVSS 9.1) Path Traversal vulnerability in apache software foundation apache airflow sftp provider. EPSS estimates a 0.88% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 58.3% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 17-06-2026
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 17-06-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

A path traversal in the SFTP provider (`SFTPHook.retrieve_directory` / `SFTPOperator(operation=get)`) let a malicious or compromised remote SFTP server write files outside the configured local destination directory via crafted directory-entry names. No Airflow account is required — the attack surface is any deployment downloading directories from an untrusted SFTP server. Upgrade `apache-airflow-providers-sftp` to 5.8.1 or later.

• CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.