# CVE-2026-81569: Apache DolphinScheduler improper authorization in sub-workflow tasks

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81569-an-improper-authorization-vulnerability-exists-in-the-handling-of  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-29. Updated: 2026-09-29  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-81569 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.3 · Published 2026-09-29

Apache DolphinScheduler is a distributed workflow scheduling platform used to orchestrate data processing jobs. An authenticated user can bypass project-level access controls to execute workflows they should not have permission to access, potentially exposing sensitive data or disrupting critical workflow operations.

Technologies: [Apache DolphinScheduler](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/apache-dolphinscheduler-1). Vendors: [Apache](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/apache).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-81569 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81569 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81569?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.3, published 29 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Apache DolphinScheduler before 3.4.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81569?** A patch was published on 2026-09-29: Version 3.4.3 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-81569 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81569?** Check whether you run Apache DolphinScheduler 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.

## Technical details

The vulnerability is an improper authorization flaw in the sub-workflow task handling mechanism. An authenticated user without permission to access a target project can invoke workflows belonging to that project by referencing them through a sub-workflow task, as the system fails to verify permission before execution. This allows attackers to execute arbitrary workflows and access their associated resources and data.

## Affected products

- Apache DolphinScheduler before 3.4.3

## Timeline

- 2026-09-29: disclosed
- 2026-09-29: patched: Version 3.4.3

## References

- [https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2](https://repo.maven.apache.org/maven2)
- [https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/2dlzoz0vd5onovxxmylmgb2lvrsj0ot6](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/2dlzoz0vd5onovxxmylmgb2lvrsj0ot6)

## Related threats

- [Apache DolphinScheduler authentication bypass in Actuator endpoints](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-78214-an-authentication-bypass-vulnerability-exists-in-the-protection)
- [Apache DolphinScheduler authorization bypass in query-dynamic-sub-workflows API](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-71899-a-missing-authorization-vulnerability-exists-in-the-query-dynamic)
- [Apache DolphinScheduler authorization check bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-71898-an-incorrect-authorization-check-in-apache-dolphinscheduler)
- [Apache DolphinScheduler improper authorization check in batch endpoints](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-71897-an-improper-authorization-check-in-apache-dolphinscheduler-allows)
- [Apache DolphinScheduler shell injection in Alert Script plugin](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-82804-the-scriptpath-parameter-is-incorporated-into-a-bin-sh-c-command)