CVE-2020-13927

Name: CVE-2020-13927
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2020-11-10T16:15:11.807+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

CRITICALCVSS 9.8/10Actively ExploitedEPSS 99.70%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2020-13927 is a critical-severity vulnerability rated 9.8/10 on the CVSS scale. The previous default setting for Airflow's Experimental API was to allow all API requests without authentication, but this poses security risks to users who miss this fact. From Airflow 1.10.11 the default has been changed to deny all requests by default and is documented at https://airflow.apache.org/docs/1.10.11/security.html#api-authentication. CISA has confirmed active exploitation in the wild. EPSS estimates a 99.70% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The previous default setting for Airflow's Experimental API was to allow all API requests without authentication, but this poses security risks to users who miss this fact. From Airflow 1.10.11 the default has been changed to deny all requests by default and is documented at https://airflow.apache.org/docs/1.10.11/security.html#api-authentication. Note this change fixes it for new installs but existing users need to change their config to default `[api]auth_backend = airflow.api.auth.backend.deny_all` as mentioned in the Updating Guide: https://github.com/apache/airflow/blob/1.10.11/UPDATING.md#experimental-api-will-deny-all-request-by-default

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

9.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

99.70%

100.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is listed in CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, confirming active exploitation in the wild. Federal agencies must remediate by Jul 18, 2022.

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Apache	Airflow	< 1.10.11

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162908/Apache-Airflow-1.10.10-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174764/Apache-Airflow-1.10.10-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r23a81b247aa346ff193670be565b2b8ea4b17ddbc7a35fc099c1aadd%40%3Cdev.airflow.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/162908/Apache-Airflow-1.10.10-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/174764/Apache-Airflow-1.10.10-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/r23a81b247aa346ff193670be565b2b8ea4b17ddbc7a35fc099c1aadd%40%3Cdev.airflow.apache.org%3EMailing List, Vendor Advisory
https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2020-13927Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource

Timeline

Published: Nov 10, 2020
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-13927?

How severe is CVE-2020-13927?

CVE-2020-13927 has a CVSS score of 9.8/10 (CRITICAL severity). The EPSS model estimates a 99.70% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.

How do I fix CVE-2020-13927?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2020-13927?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

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Source: NVD / NIST