CVE-2026-33264
CVE-2026-33264 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Apache Airflow with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-502.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (61st percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-502
- Affected product: Apache Airflow
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
A bug in `BaseSerialization.deserialize()` allowed unrestricted `import_string()` of attacker-controlled class paths when the Scheduler / API Server loaded a serialized DAG: a DAG author could embed a malicious trigger into a DAG to gain remote code execution on the API Server / Scheduler process, crossing the Airflow security boundary that DAG-author code must never execute in those processes. Users are advised to upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.3.0 or later. As a defense-in-depth mitigation, deployments where DAG-author trust is limited can restrict the `[core] allowed_deserialization_classes` config to a narrow allowlist.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-33264?
- A bug in `BaseSerialization.deserialize()` allowed unrestricted `import_string()` of attacker-controlled class paths when the Scheduler / API Server loaded a serialized DAG: a DAG author could embed a malicious trigger into a DAG to gain remote code execution on the API Server / Scheduler process, crossing the Airflow security boundary that DAG-author code must never execute in those processes. Users are advised to upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.3.0 or later. As a defense-in-depth mitigation, deployments where DAG-author trust is limited can restrict the `[core] allowed_deserialization_classes` config to a narrow allowlist.
- How severe is CVE-2026-33264?
- CVE-2026-33264 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2026-33264 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2026-33264?
- CVE-2026-33264 affects Apache Airflow. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-33264?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2026-33264 published?
- CVE-2026-33264 was published on 2026-07-07 and last updated on 2026-07-08.
References
- https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/66002
- https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/68528
- https://lists.apache.org/thread/otvdw8qt2y7xy2n5nq9xby9ky4rf5ltj
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/07/07/1
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:apache:airflow:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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