CVE-2026-49267: Apache Airflow's EmailOperator and the underlying `airflow.utils.email` helpers established SMTP STARTTLS conn

Routine

MEDIUM 5.9REMOTEWATCHLISTUPGRADE

CVE-2026-49267 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.9) affecting airflow. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Apache Airflow's EmailOperator and the underlying `airflow.utils.email` helpers established SMTP STARTTLS connections without verifying the remote certificate when the deployment used `[email] smtp_starttls=True` without `[email] smtp_ssl`. An attacker positioned between the worker and the configured SMTP server (network MITM — typical hostile-network attack-surface for environments where the SMTP relay sits outside the worker's trust boundary) c

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.9 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 92%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-295
Published	2026-06-01
Last modified	2026-07-21

Publisher (CNA): Apache Software Foundation · Vendor: apache

Last updated 2026-07-21 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-06-01 09:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-21 19:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

apache airflow UPGRADE

Affected: >= 2.0.0 and < 3.2.2

Fixed in: 3.2.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy airflow || rpm -q airflow || airflow --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.2.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade airflow

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade airflow

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison airflow sudo apt install airflow=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold airflow

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list airflow sudo dnf downgrade airflow-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add airflow

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-49267?

airflow: upgrade to 3.2.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-49267 being exploited?

CVE-2026-49267 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-49267 affect?

CVE-2026-49267 affects airflow. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.9). Apache Airflow's EmailOperator and the underlying `airflow.utils.email` helpers established SMTP STARTTLS connections without verifying the remote certificate when the deployment used `[email] smtp_starttls=True` without `[email] smtp_ssl`.

How urgent is CVE-2026-49267?

Priority 33/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action; On your watchlist

Software pages

Apache Airflow vulnerabilities

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References

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