CVE-2020-11981 Scanner

Apache Airflow is an open-source platform used to programmatically author, schedule, and monitor workflows. It is extensively utilized by data engineers to manage the execution of complex computational workflows that can span across multiple systems. Airflow's flexibility and extensibility make it a popular choice for automating, organizing, and monitoring data pipelines. The platform supports defining tasks and dependencies in Python, allowing for dynamic pipeline generation and efficient management of operation flows. Given its critical role in data processing and automation, security vulnerabilities in Airflow, such as command injection flaws, can have significant implications for the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems.

CVE-2020-11981 in Apache Airflow concerns a command injection vulnerability present in versions up to and including 1.10.10. This vulnerability arises when using the CeleryExecutor, where if an attacker can directly connect to the message broker (e.g., Redis, RabbitMQ), it is possible to inject arbitrary commands. These commands are then executed by the celery worker, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution on the server hosting the Airflow instance. The flaw represents a significant security risk, enabling remote attackers to compromise the server.

This critical vulnerability exploits the communication between Airflow and its CeleryExecutor's message broker. By injecting a malicious payload into the broker, an attacker can manipulate the message processing mechanism of Airflow to execute unauthorized commands. The vulnerability specifically targets the improper validation of data received from the message broker, allowing for the execution of arbitrary commands. This attack vector is particularly concerning as it does not require authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can connect to the broker. Affected versions of Airflow do not adequately secure the interaction with the message broker, leading to this exploitable condition.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to full compromise of the Apache Airflow server, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, alter workflows, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt operations. Given Airflow's use in managing data pipelines, this could result in significant operational disruptions, data breaches, and potential access to other connected systems. The command injection vulnerability underscores the importance of securing application dependencies and the communication channels between them.

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References

• https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/9178
• https://github.com/vulhub/vulhub/tree/master/airflow/CVE-2020-11981
• https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r7255cf0be3566f23a768e2a04b40fb09e52fcd1872695428ba9afe91%40%3Cusers.airflow.apache.org%3E
• https://github.com/t0m4too/t0m4to
• https://github.com/ARPSyndicate/cvemon