CVE-2026-30911 Apache Software Foundation CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for Apache Airflow deployments should assess exposure and prioritize upgrading to version 3.1.8 or later. This includes reviewing and restricting access to HITL workflows, monitoring for suspicious activity, and verifying the affected scope and severity with the vendor. Security teams should also review compensating controls for exposed systems and track exceptions and retest remediated assets.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-30911 is a high-severity vulnerability in Apache Airflow that allows unauthorized access to Human-in-the-Loop workflows. Defenders should prioritize upgrading to version 3.1.8 or later to prevent potential data breaches and compromised workflow integrity.

• Potential unauthorized access to HITL workflows
• Possible data breaches due to unauthorized workflow modifications
• Compromised workflow integrity

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the Execution API's Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) endpoints of Apache Airflow versions 3.1.0 through 3.1.7. An authenticated task instance can read, approve, or reject HITL workflows belonging to any other task instance due to a missing authorization check. This allows unauthorized access to workflows, potentially leading to data breaches and compromised workflow integrity. The vulnerability has a high severity score of 8.1 and is classified as HIGH. Defenders should prioritize upgrading to version 3.1.8 or later to resolve the issue.

Defensive priority

Upgrade to Apache Airflow 3.1.8 or later to resolve the issue.

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to Apache Airflow 3.1.8 or later
• Review and restrict access to HITL workflows
• Monitor for suspicious activity
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified
• Check relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review
• Track exceptions, retest remediated assets, and close the item only after evidence is documented
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD vulnerability detail page provide information about the missing authorization vulnerability in Apache Airflow versions 3.1.0 through 3.1.7. The vulnerability exists due to a lack of proper authorization checks in the HITL endpoints, allowing authenticated task instances to access workflows outside their scope. Evidence is limited to the provided CVE record and NVD detail page, and defenders should verify the affected scope and severity with the vendor.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.