CVE-2026-40861

Apache Airflow: Arbitrary File Read via Log Symlink following in FileTaskHandler

Published Jun 1, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 6.5 Medium EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
A Dag author could either (a) create a symlink under their task's log directory pointing to an arbitrary file readable by the API server process (read-path attack — e.g. `/etc/passwd` or `airflow.cfg`) or (b) supply a `task_id` containing `..` sequences accepted by the Task SDK's `KEY_REGEX` (write-path attack), and in both cases the FileTaskHandler resolves the log path outside the configured `base_log_folder`, leaking or overwriting arbitrary files. Only affects deployments where the worker log folder is shared with the API server. Users are advised to upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.2.2 or later. As a defense-in-depth mitigation, deploy the worker and API server with separate log volumes so that worker-controlled paths cannot reach the API server's filesystem.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-89cj-xrpx-j79m Apache Airflow has a Link Following issue
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:apache:airflow:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Apache
Apache airflow
Vendors & Products Apache
Apache airflow
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description A Dag author could either (a) create a symlink under their task's log directory pointing to an arbitrary file readable by the API server process (read-path attack — e.g. `/etc/passwd` or `airflow.cfg`) or (b) supply a `task_id` containing `..` sequences accepted by the Task SDK's `KEY_REGEX` (write-path attack), and in both cases the FileTaskHandler resolves the log path outside the configured `base_log_folder`, leaking or overwriting arbitrary files. Only affects deployments where the worker log folder is shared with the API server. Users are advised to upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.2.2 or later. As a defense-in-depth mitigation, deploy the worker and API server with separate log volumes so that worker-controlled paths cannot reach the API server's filesystem.
Title Apache Airflow: Arbitrary File Read via Log Symlink following in FileTaskHandler
Weaknesses CWE-59
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
apache
Published
Updated
Nov 3, 2026, 6:54 AM
Reserved
Apr 15, 2026, 1:58 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Jun 1, 2026, 9:16 AM
Modified
Nov 3, 2026, 7:19 AM