# CVE-2026-49298: Apache Airflow information disclosure in KubernetesExecutor pod spec

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-49298-apache-airflow-information-disclosure-in-kubernetesexecutor-pod  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-06-01. Updated: 2026-07-08  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-49298 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-06-01

A security flaw in Apache Airflow's KubernetesExecutor causes sensitive authentication tokens (JWTs) to be exposed in plain text within Kubernetes pod configurations. An attacker with basic read-only access to the Kubernetes cluster could steal these tokens to impersonate a running task. This would allow them to unauthorizedly trigger or clear workflows, and read or modify sensitive business data such as Variables, Connections, and XComs.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-49298 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-49298 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-49298?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 1 June 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache Airflow < 3.2.2; apache-airflow-core (PyPI) < 3.2.2, ECOSYSTEM:introduced=0,fixed=3.2.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-49298?** Yes. apache-airflow-core (PyPI): upgrade to 3.2.2 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-49298 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-49298?** Check whether you run Apache Airflow or apache-airflow-core (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-core (PyPI): upgrade to 3.2.2 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "apache-airflow-core>=3.2.2"
  ```


## Technical details

A vulnerability in Apache Airflow's KubernetesExecutor (CWE-538) causes JWT tokens used for Execution API authentication to be passed as command-line arguments to worker containers. These arguments are visible in the Kubernetes pod specification, making them accessible to any user with 'pods/get' permissions in the Airflow namespace. An attacker can harvest these tokens to call state-mutating Execution API endpoints, enabling them to trigger DAG runs, clear runs, or manipulate Variables, Connections, and XComs. This issue is the core-side component of a coordinated fix (alongside CVE-2026-27173). Users should upgrade to apache-airflow 3.2.2 or later.

## Affected products

- Apache Airflow < 3.2.2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-49298
- GHSA-5j6p-jrrm-6x94
- PYSEC-2026-2358

## Timeline

- 2026-06-01: disclosed
- 2026-06-01: advisory
- 2026-06-01: patched

## References

- [https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/60108](https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/60108)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread/wo09vrks8189dzsot39rvrx3vnx102tt](https://lists.apache.org/thread/wo09vrks8189dzsot39rvrx3vnx102tt)

## Related threats

- [Apache Airflow incomplete deserialization check bypass in scheduler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-96285-apache-airflow-3-3-1-shipped-a-fix-for-that-checks-the-scheduler)
- [Apache Airflow scheduler XCom deserialization privilege escalation](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86829-apache-airflow-s-scheduler-fully-deserializes-xcom-values-written)
- [Apache Airflow CLI audit log secrets exposure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-86468-apache-airflow-s-cli-records-its-arguments-in-the-audit-log-but)
- [Apache Airflow unsafe deserialization in deadline alert fields](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-82337-apache-airflow-rebuilt-deadline-alert-fields-through-generic)
- [Apache Airflow Task SDK secret cache key collision in multi-team deployments](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-76185-apache-airflow-s-task-sdk-secret-cache-built-its-keys-from-the)