CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2026-86792NVD status: Analyzed

Apache Airflow Apache Kafka provider: Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2026-86792 is a high-severity use of externally-controlled input to select classes or code vulnerability in Apache Airflow Apache Kafka provider from Apache, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2.0.0 as the first without the flaw, so updating Apache Airflow Apache Kafka provider to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.19% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 68% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Apache Airflow Apache Kafka provider to 2.0.0 or a later version.
  2. Update Apache-airflow-providers-apache-kafka to 2.0.0 or a later version.
  3. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ApacheApache Airflow Apache Kafka provider1.15.0 up to, but not including, 2.0.02.0.0
ApacheApache-airflow-providers-apache-kafka1.15.0 up to, but not including, 2.0.02.0.0

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

Apache Airflow Apache Kafka provider versions 1.15.0 before 2.0.0 resolve dotted-path strings found in a Kafka connection's `extra` field into Python callables via `import_string`, with no allowlist, and hand them to the confluent-kafka client which invokes them. Deployments that have enabled the Kafka event producer — `dag_run_events_enabled` or `task_instance_events_enabled`, both disabled by default — build that client inside the scheduler process, so a user whose only privilege is editing Airflow connections gains arbitrary code execution in the control plane; the Airflow security model limits connection-configuration users to code execution on workers, not the scheduler. Deployments using Google Managed Kafka are not affected, because that code path overwrites any user-supplied `oauth_cb`; plain brokers and Amazon MSK are exposed. Users are recommended to upgrade to apache-airflow-providers-apache-kafka 2.0.0 or later, which adds an allowlist configuration option for connection-string callbacks.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code

The product uses external input with reflection to select which classes or code to use, but it does not sufficiently prevent the input from selecting improper classes or code.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Refactor your code to avoid using reflection.
  • Do not use user-controlled inputs to select and load classes or code.
  • Apply strict input validation by using allowlists or indirect selection to ensure that the user is only selecting allowable classes or code.

More Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code vulnerabilities (CWE-470)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Use of Externally-Controlled Input to Select Classes or Code vulnerabilities

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