# CVE-2020-13927: Authentication bypass in Apache Airflow

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2020-13927-apache-airflow-s-experimental-api-authentication-bypass  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2020-11-10. Updated: 2026-05-10  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2020-13927 · Severity: critical · CVSS 3.1 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2020-11-10

Apache Airflow's Experimental API was configured by default to allow all requests without authentication. This insecure default initialization allows unauthenticated remote attackers to perform critical functions, potentially leading to remote code execution.

Technologies: [apache-airflow (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apache-airflow). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache), [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2020-13927 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2020-13927 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 18 January 2022. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2020-13927?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 10 November 2020.

**Which products and versions are affected?** apache-airflow (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=1.10.11.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2020-13927?** Yes. apache-airflow (PyPI): upgrade to 1.10.11 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2020-13927 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2020-13927?** Check whether you run Apache Airflow's Experimental API or apache-airflow (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- apache-airflow (PyPI): upgrade to 1.10.11 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "apache-airflow>=1.10.11"
  ```


## Affected products

- Apache Airflow versions up to 1.10.10

## Identifiers

- CVE-2020-13927
- GHSA-hhx9-p69v-cx2j
- PYSEC-2020-18

## Timeline

- 2020-11-24: disclosed: Initial analysis by NIST
- 2022-01-18: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
- 2022-01-18: advisory: NVD publication date

## Related threats

- [Apache Airflow Core API logout incomplete token revocation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86473-apache-airflow-the-core-api-logout-endpoint-revokes-only-a)
- [Apache Airflow authentication bypass via session cookie precedence](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-82355-when-a-request-to-the-airflow-core-api-carries-both-a-session)
- [Apache Airflow information disclosure in /assets/events API](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-75158-apache-airflow-s-assets-events-api-returned-asset-events-for)
- [Apache Airflow authorization bypass in asset materialization and XCom endpoints](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-68971-apache-airflow-authorization-bypass-in-asset-materialization-and)
- [Apache Airflow Task SDK variable masking bypass for list-shaped values](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-68970-apache-airflow-task-sdk-variable-masking-bypass-for-list-shaped)