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CVE-2025-54550

Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

8.1 HighFix available

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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
Low
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

0.58%Up 0.6 points since Apr 15, 2026
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 8.1

Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

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.

Record
CVE-2025-54550
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-03
EUVDEUVD-2025-209465 8.1

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.

Record
EUVD-2025-209465
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-q2hg-643c-gw8h 8.1

Withdrawn Advisory: Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

Withdrawn Advisory

This advisory has been withdrawn because it only affects example implementations, not Airflow releases on PyPI. This link is maintained to preserve external references.

Original 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.

Record
GHSA-q2hg-643c-gw8h
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-03
NVD 8.1

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.

Record
CVE-2025-54550
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-03
OSV 8.1

Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

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.

Record
CVE-2025-54550
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-04
OSVGHSA-q2hg-643c-gw8h 8.1

Withdrawn Advisory: Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

Withdrawn Advisory

This advisory has been withdrawn because it only affects example implementations, not Airflow releases on PyPI. This link is maintained to preserve external references.

Original 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.

Record
GHSA-q2hg-643c-gw8h
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-94
Updated
2026-11-03
OSVPYSEC-2026-2353 8.1

Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

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.

Record
PYSEC-2026-2353
CVSS 3.1
8.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVBIT-airflow-2025-54550 No score

Apache Airflow: RCE by race condition in example_xcom dag

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.

Record
BIT-airflow-2025-54550
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
airflow
Bitnami
before 3.2.0
3.2.0
apache-airflow
PyPI
before 3.2.0, plus listed versions
1.10.01.10.11.10.101.10.10rc11.10.10rc2
Show 45 moreShow less
1.10.10rc31.10.10rc41.10.10rc51.10.111.10.11rc11.10.11rc21.10.121.10.12rc11.10.12rc21.10.12rc31.10.12rc41.10.131.10.13rc11.10.141.10.14rc11.10.14rc21.10.14rc31.10.14rc41.10.151.10.15rc11.10.1b11.10.1rc21.10.21.10.2b21.10.2rc11.10.2rc21.10.2rc31.10.31.10.3b11.10.3b21.10.3rc11.10.3rc21.10.41.10.4b21.10.4rc11.10.4rc21.10.4rc31.10.4rc41.10.4rc51.10.51.10.5rc11.10.61.10.6rc11.10.6rc21.10.7
3.2.0

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
affected, referencesOSV
affected, facts, referencesCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2025-54550 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.1) in Apache Airflow, published April 15, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.58%, the 47th percentile. Fixed in airflow 3.2.0.

References

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