CVE-2025-69219: Apache Airflow Providers Http RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-69219 Overview

A vulnerability exists in Apache Airflow Providers HTTP that allows users with direct database access to craft malicious database entries that result in arbitrary code execution on the Triggerer component. This improper control of dynamically-managed code resources (CWE-913) enables attackers with database access to escalate their privileges to match those of a DAG Author, potentially compromising workflow integrity and system security.

Critical Impact

Attackers with database access can achieve privilege escalation to DAG Author permissions through crafted database entries, enabling arbitrary code execution on the Triggerer component.

Affected Products

• Apache Airflow Providers HTTP (versions prior to 6.0.0)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-03-09 - CVE CVE-2025-69219 published to NVD
• 2026-03-10 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-69219

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under CWE-913 (Improper Control of Dynamically-Managed Code Resources), indicating that the application fails to properly restrict how dynamic code or data resources are manipulated. In the context of Apache Airflow's HTTP Provider, the Triggerer component processes database entries without sufficient validation, allowing maliciously crafted entries to be interpreted as executable code.

The Triggerer is a core Airflow component responsible for handling deferred tasks and trigger-based execution. When processing database entries related to HTTP provider configurations or triggers, the component fails to properly sanitize or validate the content, creating an avenue for code injection.

While the vendor notes that direct database access is not typical in standard Airflow deployments and is not a recommended practice, organizations with multi-tenant environments or those that have granted database-level access to certain users face elevated risk from this vulnerability.

Root Cause

The root cause lies in insufficient input validation and sanitization of database entries processed by the Triggerer component. The HTTP provider does not adequately verify that database-stored configuration or trigger data contains only expected, safe values before processing them in a context where they could be executed as code. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads through crafted database entries that bypass the normal DAG authoring controls.

Attack Vector

The attack requires authenticated access to the Airflow metadata database, typically achieved through direct database connections rather than the Airflow web interface. An attacker with database write permissions can:

1. Craft a malicious database entry containing executable code or instructions
2. Insert or modify records in tables processed by the Triggerer component
3. Wait for the Triggerer to process the malicious entry
4. Achieve code execution with DAG Author permissions on the Triggerer

The vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the database layer and the Triggerer component, which assumes database entries are legitimate and properly formed. Technical details regarding the specific tables and entry formats involved can be found in the Apache Airflow GitHub Pull Request.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-69219

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected or anomalous entries in Airflow metadata database tables related to HTTP provider configurations or triggers
• Unusual process activity or network connections originating from the Triggerer component
• Database audit logs showing direct INSERT or UPDATE operations on trigger-related tables from non-standard sources
• Unexpected DAG execution or task behavior not matching defined workflows

Detection Strategies

• Implement database activity monitoring to detect direct database modifications outside of normal Airflow API operations
• Review Triggerer component logs for unexpected code execution patterns or error messages indicating malformed entries
• Enable audit logging for all database write operations to Airflow metadata tables
• Monitor for privilege escalation attempts or unauthorized DAG modifications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure alerting for direct database connections from unexpected IP addresses or user accounts
• Establish baseline behavior for Triggerer component activity and alert on deviations
• Implement integrity monitoring for critical Airflow database tables
• Review access logs for database credentials and restrict access following the principle of least privilege

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-69219

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade Apache Airflow Providers HTTP to version 6.0.0 or later immediately
• Audit database access permissions and revoke unnecessary direct database access
• Review database audit logs for any suspicious modifications to Airflow metadata tables
• Implement network segmentation to restrict direct database access to authorized systems only

Patch Information

Apache has released version 6.0.0 of the Airflow Providers HTTP package that addresses this vulnerability. The fix is available through the Apache Airflow GitHub Pull Request #61662. Organizations should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability.

Additional details and discussion can be found in the Apache Mailing List Thread and the OpenWall OSS-Security Post.

Workarounds

• Restrict direct database access to only essential administrative personnel with verified need
• Implement database-level access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to Airflow metadata tables
• Use database triggers or stored procedures to validate entries before they are committed to sensitive tables
• Deploy Airflow in isolated environments with strict network controls limiting database connectivity
• Consider implementing a database proxy or firewall to filter and log all database operations

# Example: Restrict database access permissions (PostgreSQL)
# Revoke direct write access from non-essential users
REVOKE INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public FROM airflow_readonly_user;

# Grant minimal required permissions
GRANT SELECT ON ALL TABLES IN SCHEMA public TO airflow_readonly_user;

# Enable audit logging for sensitive operations
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_statement = 'mod';
SELECT pg_reload_conf();