CVE-2026-68868 Apache Software Foundation CVE debrief

Who should care

Defenders responsible for Apache Airflow deployments, particularly those using multi-team mode and the Google Cloud Secret Manager secrets backend, should assess exposure and prioritize upgrading to apache-airflow-providers-google 22.3.0 or later.

Why it matters

CVE-2026-68868 allows unauthorized access to credentials in Apache Airflow's Google provider. Defenders should upgrade to apache-airflow-providers-google 22.3.0 or later and review multi-team mode configurations.

• Obtain credentials for unauthorized Connections or Variables
• Increased risk of credential exposure in multi-team environments
• Potential for lateral movement within Airflow deployments
• Requires verification of team-scoped secret name application

Technical summary

The Google Cloud Secret Manager secrets backend in Apache Airflow's Google provider did not apply the team scope when resolving Connections and Variables. This issue allows tasks or Dags from one team to resolve and obtain credentials for Connections or Variables from another team in multi-team mode. The backend failed to apply the team scope, leading to unauthorized access to credentials. Users are advised to upgrade to apache-airflow-providers-google 22.3.0 or later, which builds and applies the team-scoped secret name. No unusual configuration is required beyond enabling multi-team mode and using this backend.

Defensive priority

Defenders should prioritize upgrading to apache-airflow-providers-google 22.3.0 or later to address the vulnerability.

Recommended defensive actions

• Upgrade to apache-airflow-providers-google 22.3.0 or later
• Review and update multi-team mode configurations
• Monitor for unusual activity in Apache Airflow deployments
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up
• 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

Evidence notes

The CVE record and NVD entry provide details on the vulnerability, including its description, CVSS score, and affected versions. The Google Cloud Secret Manager secrets backend in Apache Airflow's Google provider did not apply the team scope when resolving Connections and Variables. This issue allows tasks or Dags from one team to resolve and obtain credentials for Connections or Variables from another team in multi-team mode. Evidence is limited to CVE and NVD details. Defenders should verify team-scoped secret name application and  

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.