# CVE-2023-33234: PYSEC-2026-1143 - Apache Airflow CNCF Kubernetes Provider: KubernetesPodOperator RCE via connection configuration

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-33234-apache-airflow-cncf-kubernetes-provider-rce-via-connection  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-07. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-33234 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2026-07-07

Apache Airflow's CNCF Kubernetes Provider contains a vulnerability in the KubernetesPodOperator that allows arbitrary code execution. An attacker with operator or admin permissions can modify the Airflow connection configuration to inject a malicious container image, enabling them to execute arbitrary code within the Kubernetes pod. This affects workflow orchestration environments where Airflow manages container-based tasks.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-33234 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2023-33234 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2023-33234?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 7 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** apache-airflow-providers-cncf-kubernetes (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=5.0.0,fixed=7.0.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-33234?** Yes. apache-airflow-providers-cncf-kubernetes (PyPI): upgrade to 7.0.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2023-33234 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-33234?** Check whether you run apache-airflow-providers-cncf-kubernetes (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-providers-cncf-kubernetes (PyPI): upgrade to 7.0.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "apache-airflow-providers-cncf-kubernetes>=7.0.0"
  ```


## Technical details

The vulnerability is an improper input validation issue (CWE-74) in the KubernetesPodOperator's handling of connection configuration. Versions 5.0.0 through 6.2.0 allow authenticated users with elevated privileges (Operator or Admin role) to modify the xcom sidecar image and resource specifications through the Airflow connection object. No user interaction or additional preconditions are required beyond the initial privilege level. An attacker can exploit this to execute arbitrary code within Kubernetes pods. The vulnerability was fixed in version 7.0.0 by removing the vulnerable configuration mechanism.

## Affected products

- Apache Airflow CNCF Kubernetes Provider 5.0.0 to 6.2.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2023-33234
- GHSA-2rx4-9f5h-9gjf
- PYSEC-2026-1143

## Timeline

- 2023-05-30: disclosed
- 2023-07-06: advisory
- 2023-07-06: patched: Fixed in version 7.0.0

## References

- [https://github.com/apache/airflow](https://github.com/apache/airflow)

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