CVE-2020-11981 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-11981 affecting Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below. Understand the Remote Code Execution risk and how to mitigate this vulnerability.
Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below are affected by a Remote Code Execution vulnerability when using CeleryExecutor, allowing attackers to run arbitrary commands.
Understanding CVE-2020-11981
An issue was found in Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below, potentially leading to Remote Code Execution.
What is CVE-2020-11981?
CVE-2020-11981 is a vulnerability in Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and earlier that enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the CeleryExecutor component.
The Impact of CVE-2020-11981
The vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to connect to the broker directly, leading to command injection and the execution of arbitrary commands by the celery worker.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-11981
Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below are susceptible to Remote Code Execution due to the following:
Vulnerability Description
- Vulnerability Type: Remote Code Execution
- Affected Component: CeleryExecutor
- Attack Vector: Direct connection to the broker (Redis, RabbitMQ)
- Consequence: Execution of arbitrary commands
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Apache Airflow
- Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
- Vulnerable Versions: 1.10.10 and below
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by connecting directly to the broker (Redis, RabbitMQ) and injecting commands, leading to the execution of arbitrary commands by the celery worker.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-11981, consider the following steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Apache Airflow to a non-vulnerable version.
- Restrict network access to the broker to authorized entities only.
- Monitor and analyze network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement strong authentication mechanisms for accessing the broker.
- Regularly update and patch Apache Airflow to the latest secure version.
- Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by Apache Software Foundation promptly to mitigate the vulnerability and enhance system security.