CVE-2020-11978
Published: January 18, 2022
Official Description
A remote code/command injection vulnerability was discovered in one of the example DAGs shipped with Airflow.
CISA KEV Advisory
Apache Airflow Command Injection
A remote code/command injection vulnerability was discovered in one of the example DAGs shipped with Airflow.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Risk Analysis
A remote code/command injection vulnerability was found in one of the example DAGs shipped with Apache Airflow. The high EPSS score of 0.94272 and its presence in the KEV catalog indicate a very high likelihood of exploitation and critical urgency.
Active exploitation of this vulnerability has been observed in the wild, and it is confirmed to be exploited by CISA, indicating a severe and immediate threat. This vulnerability is remotely exploitable.
Update Apache Airflow to a patched version and remove or secure any vulnerable example DAGs. Implement strict access controls and regularly audit Airflow configurations.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2020-11978 requires local access, meaning attackers must already have a foothold on the target system.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CISA has added CVE-2020-11978 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. U.S. federal agencies are required to patch this within the mandated timeframe, and all organizations should treat remediation as urgent.
Exploit & PoC Resources
All References (1)
Quick Facts
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2020-11978 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
- !CISA KEV: Federal agencies must patch per BOD 22-01 timeline
- !Active exploitation confirmed — treat as P1