CVE-2026-59242

Apache Airflow: Arbitrary airflow.* class instantiation on the API server via the XCom deserialize endpoint

MEDIUM
5.4
CVSS Score
Published: August 12, 2026 at 03:35 PM UTC
Updated: October 24, 2026 at 04:10 PM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorAirflow

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Severity
MEDIUM5.4
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.5%
SSVC
No known exploit

Description

Apache Airflow's XCom `GET /api/v2/{...}/xcomEntries/{key}?deserialize=true` endpoint passed a string-literal payload through `BaseXCom.deserialize_value` without the `_check_forbidden_xcom_keys` guard, allowing an authenticated API user with XCom write-and-read access to instantiate arbitrary `airflow.*` classes on the API server (CWE-502). An authenticated user who can write an XCom value and then read it back with `deserialize=true` triggers the unsafe instantiation. Users are advised to upgrade to apache-airflow 3.3.1 or later, which rejects reserved XCom serialization keys submitted as JSON string literals.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 3.3.1
Affected range stops below 3.3.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

References (3)

PatchIssue Tracking
Source: cverecord
https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/69378
Vendor AdvisoryMailing List
Source: cverecord
https://lists.apache.org/thread/dm0520yhh4mn7qknyoh45r2w6c5qg2mg
Mailing ListThird Party Advisory
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/08/12/6

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCNo known exploitNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

5.4MEDIUMCISA-ADP
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
LOW
Integrity
LOW
Availability
NONE
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusANALYZED
CWE
CWE-502

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