CVE-2020-11982 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below are affected by a vulnerability that could lead to remote code execution when using CeleryExecutor.

Understanding CVE-2020-11982

An issue in Apache Airflow allows attackers to potentially execute remote code by inserting a malicious payload to the broker.

What is CVE-2020-11982?

The vulnerability in Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and earlier enables attackers to perform a deserialization attack, leading to remote code execution on the Worker.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11982

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to a complete compromise of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11982

Apache Airflow CVE-2020-11982 involves the following technical aspects:

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below allows attackers to insert a malicious payload directly to the broker, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Apache Airflow
Vendor: Apache Software Foundation
Versions Affected: 1.10.10 and below

Exploitation Mechanism

When using CeleryExecutor, attackers who can connect to the broker (Redis, RabbitMQ) directly can insert a malicious payload, triggering a deserialization attack and enabling remote code execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-11982, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Apache Airflow to a non-vulnerable version.
Restrict network access to the broker to trusted entities only.
Monitor and analyze broker activity for suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems.
Regularly update and patch Apache Airflow and its dependencies.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Apache Software Foundation promptly.