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CVE-2020-11978 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Apache Airflow versions 1.10.10 and below. The issue resides in one of the example DAGs shipped with Airflow, which allows any authenticated user to execute arbitrary OS commands as the user running the Airflow worker or scheduler. The vulnerability is due to improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands (CWE-78) within the example DAGs, and can be exploited via the experimental REST API, which is public by default even if the web interface is protected. The vulnerable DAG is 'example_trigger_target_dag'.
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This repository contains a single Metasploit module (modules/exploits/linux/http/apache_airflow_dag_rce.rb) that exploits a combination of two vulnerabilities in Apache Airflow 1.10.10: CVE-2020-11978 (command injection in an example DAG) and CVE-2020-13927 (unauthenticated access to the Experimental REST API). The exploit works by first verifying the presence and version of Airflow, then checking if the REST API and vulnerable DAG are accessible. It then creates a new DAG with a malicious payload, triggering remote code execution as the Airflow worker user. The default payload is a Meterpreter reverse shell, but any Metasploit command payload can be used. The module is weaponized, allowing for easy payload customization and automated exploitation. The main attack vector is network-based, targeting the Airflow webserver (default port 8080) and its REST API endpoints. The code is well-structured, with clear separation of checks, exploitation, and payload delivery. No hardcoded IPs or domains are present; all endpoints are relative to the target's Airflow installation.
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