CVE-2023-33234: Apache Airflow CNCF Kubernetes Provider: KubernetesPodOperator RCE via connection configuration

Severity: high (CVSS 7.2 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 1.5% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2023-05-30 · updated 2026-07-02
Weakness: CWE-74

Description

Arbitrary code execution in Apache Airflow CNCF Kubernetes provider version 5.0.0 allows user to change xcom sidecar image and resources via Airflow connection. In order to exploit this weakness, a user would already need elevated permissions (Op or Admin) to change the connection object in this manner. Operators should upgrade to provider version 7.0.0 which has removed the vulnerability.

Affected products

Apache Software Foundation Apache Airflow CNCF Kubernetes provider: from 5.0.0 before 7.0.0 — fixed in 7.0.0

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Apache Software Foundation Apache Airflow CNCF Kubernetes provider 7.0.0. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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