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.
Problem types
CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Product status
Any version before 3.2.0
Credits
Vincent55 Yang
References
www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/04/15/1
lists.apache.org/thread/3mf4cfx070ofsnf9qy0s2v5gqb5sc2g1
github.com/apache/airflow/pull/63200