Summary
The origin parameter passed to some of the endpoints like /trigger was vulnerable to XSS exploit. This issue affects Apache Airflow versions prior to 1.10.15. This is same as CVE-2020-13944 but the implemented fix in Airflow 1.10.13 did not fix the issue completely.
Impact
Untrusted input is rendered as active markup in a victim's browser, which can run script in their session. Typical impact: session or credential theft, and actions taken as the user.
CVE-2020-17515 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium). The vector is network-reachable, no privileges required, and user interaction required. A CVSS score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether this affects your application depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable in your environment. A fixed version is available (1.10.15rc1, 2.0.2rc1); upgrading removes the vulnerable code path.
Affected versions
Security releases
Kodem intelligence
Severity tells you how bad this could be in the worst case. It does not tell you whether you are exposed. Exploitability and impact are functions of runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A vulnerable package can sit in your dependency tree and never run.
Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter. Kodem's runtime-powered SCA identifies whether this CVE is reachable in your applications.
Remediation advice
apache-airflow to 1.10.15rc1 or later; apache-airflow to 2.0.2rc1 or later
Kodem Kai can prioritize this vulnerability in your dependency tree and generate a fix recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CVE-2020-17515? CVE-2020-17515 is a medium-severity cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in apache-airflow (pip), affecting versions < 1.10.15rc1. It is fixed in 1.10.15rc1, 2.0.2rc1. Untrusted input is rendered as active markup in a victim's browser, which can run script in their session.
- How severe is CVE-2020-17515? CVE-2020-17515 has a CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium). This score reflects the worst-case severity of the vulnerability, not your specific exposure. Whether it represents real risk in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable.
- Which versions of apache-airflow are affected by CVE-2020-17515? apache-airflow (pip) versions < 1.10.15rc1 is affected.
- Is there a fix for CVE-2020-17515? Yes. CVE-2020-17515 is fixed in 1.10.15rc1, 2.0.2rc1. Upgrade to this version or later.
- Is CVE-2020-17515 exploitable, and should I be worried? Whether CVE-2020-17515 is exploitable in your environment depends on whether the vulnerable code is present and reachable. A CVSS score is a worst-case rating; it does not account for your specific deployment, configuration, or usage patterns. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to show which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so you can focus on the ones that represent real risk. Get a demo
- What actually determines whether CVE-2020-17515 is exploitable, and how bad it is? Exploitability and impact are not fixed properties of a CVE. They depend on runtime truth: whether the vulnerable code is present, reachable, and actually executes in your application. A high CVSS score on a dependency that never runs is not the same as real risk. Kodem, an Intelligent Application Security platform, uses runtime intelligence to reveal which vulnerabilities actually execute in production, so teams prioritize the ones that genuinely matter.
- How do I fix CVE-2020-17515?
- Upgrade
apache-airflowto 1.10.15rc1 or later - Upgrade
apache-airflowto 2.0.2rc1 or later
- Upgrade