Description
dag-factory is a library for Apache Airflow® to construct DAGs declaratively via configuration files. In versions 0.23.0a8 and below, a high-severity vulnerability has been identified in the cicd.yml workflow within the astronomer/dag-factory GitHub repository. The workflow, specifically when triggered by pull_request_target, is susceptible to exploitation, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the GitHub Actions runner environment. This misconfiguration enables an attacker to establish a reverse shell, exfiltrate sensitive secrets, including the highly-privileged GITHUB_TOKEN, and ultimately gain full control over the repository. This is fixed in version 0.23.0a9.
EPSS Score:
0%
Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2025-22775
1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation
The vulnerability identified in the dag-factory library for Apache Airflow®, specifically in versions 0.23.0a8 and below, is classified as high-severity. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) base score of 9.1 indicates a critical risk. The CVSS vector CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:U breaks down as follows:
- AV:N - Network vector, indicating the vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
- AC:L - Low attack complexity, meaning the attack is relatively easy to execute.
- AT:N - No authentication required.
- PR:N - No privileges required.
- UI:N - No user interaction required.
- VC:H - High confidentiality impact.
- VI:H - High integrity impact.
- VA:H - High availability impact.
- SC:H - High scope change.
- SI:H - High integrity impact on the changed scope.
- SA:H - High availability impact on the changed scope.
- E:U - Unchanged exploit code maturity.
This vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the GitHub Actions runner environment, leading to severe consequences such as establishing a reverse shell and exfiltrating sensitive secrets, including the GITHUB_TOKEN.
2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods
The primary attack vector is through the pull_request_target event in the cicd.yml workflow. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by:
- Submitting a Malicious Pull Request: An attacker can craft a pull request that triggers the
pull_request_targetevent. This event is designed to run workflows in the context of the repository's secrets, including theGITHUB_TOKEN. - Executing Arbitrary Code: By embedding malicious code within the pull request, the attacker can execute arbitrary commands within the GitHub Actions runner environment.
- Establishing a Reverse Shell: The attacker can use the executed code to establish a reverse shell, gaining remote access to the runner environment.
- Exfiltrating Sensitive Secrets: With access to the runner environment, the attacker can exfiltrate sensitive secrets, including the
GITHUB_TOKEN, which has high privileges within the repository.
3. Affected Systems and Software Versions
The vulnerability affects the dag-factory library for Apache Airflow® in versions 0.23.0a8 and below. Specifically, the cicd.yml workflow within the astronomer/dag-factory GitHub repository is susceptible. The issue is fixed in version 0.23.0a9.
4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies
To mitigate this vulnerability, the following steps are recommended:
- Upgrade to the Latest Version: Upgrade the
dag-factorylibrary to version 0.23.0a9 or later, which includes the fix for this vulnerability. - Review and Audit Workflows: Conduct a thorough review and audit of all GitHub Actions workflows, especially those triggered by
pull_request_targetevents, to ensure they are securely configured. - Limit Scope of Secrets: Restrict the scope and permissions of secrets, such as the
GITHUB_TOKEN, to minimize potential damage in case of a breach. - Implement Code Review Processes: Enforce strict code review processes for pull requests to detect and prevent malicious code from being merged.
- Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Implement monitoring and alerting for suspicious activities within the GitHub Actions runner environment.
5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape
The vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using the dag-factory library, particularly those within the European Union. The potential for arbitrary code execution and exfiltration of sensitive secrets can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and loss of control over repositories. This underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing robust security practices within CI/CD pipelines.
6. Technical Details for Security Professionals
- Vulnerability Identification: The vulnerability is identified by EUVD ID
EUVD-2025-22775and CVE IDCVE-2025-54415. - Affected Component: The
cicd.ymlworkflow within theastronomer/dag-factoryGitHub repository. - Exploitation Details: The vulnerability is exploited through the
pull_request_targetevent, which allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the GitHub Actions runner environment. - Fix Information: The issue is resolved in version 0.23.0a9 of the
dag-factorylibrary. - References:
By addressing this vulnerability promptly and implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation and protect their CI/CD pipelines from potential attacks.