CVE-2020-13927
CRITICALCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctlDescription
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
How to fix
TridentStack Control can deploy fixes like this automatically across your Windows, macOS, and Linux fleet. See how it works
Remediation is compiled from vendor and distribution security advisories. Always confirm against the linked source for your exact version and platform.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.
Apache Airflow's Experimental API Authentication Bypass
The previous default setting for Airflow's Experimental API was to allow all API requests without authentication.
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Remediation due: 2022-07-18
References
Related Vulnerabilities
Other CWE-306 (Missing Authentication for Critical Function) vulnerabilities, ordered by exploit likelihood. View all
| CVE | Severity | CVSS | EPSS | Exploited | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2025-3248 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2017-10271 | High | 7.5 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | - |
| CVE-2023-42793 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2022-1388 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV + Ransom | Fix |
| CVE-2026-33017 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | Fix |
| CVE-2021-37415 | Critical | 9.8 | 100% | KEV | - |
Common questions
How do I fix CVE-2020-13927?
Upgrade airflow to 1.10.11 or later.
Is CVE-2020-13927 being actively exploited?
Yes. CVE-2020-13927 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, which means exploitation has been observed in the wild. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 2022-07-18. Treat it as a priority whatever its CVSS score says.
How severe is CVE-2020-13927?
CVE-2020-13927 has a CVSS v3 base score of 9.8, rated critical. CVSS rates the technical impact if the vulnerability is exploited, not how likely that is, so weigh it alongside the exploit-prediction score when you decide what to patch first.
What does CVE-2020-13927 affect?
Published advisories record a fix for airflow (NVD). Only products with a sourced advisory are listed, so treat this as what we can cite rather than a complete inventory.
Embed a live status badge for CVE-2020-13927
Markdown
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This product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2025-10-23.