---
title: "CVE-2021-38540: Apache Airflow: Variable Import endpoint… | CubePath"
description: "The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3. This allowed unauthenticated users to hit that endpoint…"
language: en
source: https://cubepath.com/security/cve/CVE-2021-38540
---

# CVE-2021-38540: Apache Airflow: Variable Import endpoint… | CubePath

## Description

The variable import endpoint was not protected by authentication in Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3\. This allowed unauthenticated users to hit that endpoint to add/modify Airflow variables used in DAGs, potentially resulting in a denial of service, information disclosure or remote code execution. This issue affects Apache Airflow >=2.0.0, <2.1.3.

Official description from the CVE record, published by apache. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CVE license. [View the record on cve.org](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-38540)

## Key data

### EPSS

Exploit Prediction Scoring System by FIRST: an estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days.

Score

0.80938 (80.9% probability)

Percentile

99.6%

Scores of

Nov 10, 2026

Model

v2026.06.15

### Weakness (CWE)

CWE catalog version 5.0.

CWE names: Copyright © 2006-2026, The MITRE Corporation. See [/security/cve/legal](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal) for the CWE license.

- [CWE-269](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/269.html) Improper Privilege Management

## Affected products

Products listed in the CVE record, as the CNA published them.

- Apache Airflow

  - affected: Apache Airflow up to before 2.1.3

## References

Links listed in the CVE record. They lead to other sites, which CubePath does not control.

- [lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb34c3dd1a815456355217eef34060…](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rb34c3dd1a815456355217eef34060789f771b6f77c3a3dec77de2064%40%3Cusers.airflow.apache.org%3E)
- [\[announce\] 20210909 CVE-2021-38540: Apache Airflow: Variable Import endpoint missed authentication check](https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/rac2ed9118f64733e47b4f1e82ddc8c8020774698f13328ca742b03a2%40%3Cannounce.apache.org%3E)  (lists.apache.org) mailing-list

## Timeline

1. ID reserved Aug 11, 2021
2. Record published Sep 9, 2021
3. Record last updated Aug 4, 2024

## Look up another CVE

## About CubePath

CubePath is a cloud provider with data centers in Europe and the United States. It offers VPS, bare metal servers and DDoS protection.

[Cloud VPS](https://cubepath.com/vps) [DDoS protection](https://cubepath.com/ddos-protection)

Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 20:01 UTC. [Sources and licenses](https://cubepath.com/security/cve/legal)