CVE-2026-48828 Apache Software Foundation CVE debrief

Who should care

Users of Apache Airflow who store sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names should upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.3.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators and security teams responsible for Airflow deployments should review their configurations and ensure that bulk Variable read permissions are properly restricted.

Technical summary

The Bulk Variables API in Apache Airflow called the redactor without passing the variable's key, so the key-based `should_hide_value_for_key` check could not fire for JSON-decodable variable values. An authenticated UI/API user with bulk Variable read permission could retrieve plaintext values from JSON variables whose key would otherwise trigger redaction. This issue affects deployments that store sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names.

Defensive priority

High

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to `apache-airflow` 3.3.0 or later
• Review and update deployments that store sensitive values in JSON-typed Airflow Variables under secret-suffixed key names
• Monitor for and restrict bulk Variable read permissions
• 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 was published on 2026-07-07T10:16:41.260Z and has not been modified since then. The NVD entry is currently Received. There is no additional information available about the vulnerability beyond what is provided in the CVE record and NVD entry.

Official resources