A critical security flaw, tracked as CVE-2025-54831, has been found in Apache Airflow version 3.0.3, allowing standard users with only read permissions to access sensitive connection data. This vulnerability, classified as "important" severity, completely undermines the intended security model designed to protect credentials within the workflow platform.
Airflow 3.0 was supposed to introduce a stronger "write-only" model, meaning sensitive connection fields (like API keys, database credentials, and authentication details) should only be accessible to users with specific editing rights. This enhancement was put in place to prevent unauthorized viewing of critical secrets. However, the implementation in version 3.0.3 was flawed, effectively reversing these security improvements.
The flaw allows any user with standard READ permissions to improperly access sensitive connection information through both the Airflow web user interface and the official API endpoint (/api/v1/connections/{connection_id}). This exposure occurs even if the main configuration setting, AIRFLOW__CORE__HIDE_SENSITIVE_VAR_CONN_FIELDS, is enabled to mask the data. Essentially, the security controls meant to hide this information are rendered useless, creating a significant risk for organizations.
Apache security analysts identified the vulnerability after observing unexpected behavior in how connection details were handled. It is important to note that only Apache Airflow version 3.0.3 is affected. Earlier Airflow 2.x versions follow different protocols and do not have this specific flaw. Organizations currently using the vulnerable version 3.0.3 must immediately upgrade to version 3.0.4 or later to fix this security issue and restore proper access controls for all sensitive connection information.
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