CVE-2026-25052: Critical Vulnerability in n8n

n8n, an open-source workflow automation platform, has been identified with a critical vulnerability (CVE-2026-25052) that affects versions prior to 1.123.18 and 2.5.0. This vulnerability allows authenticated users with permissions to create or modify workflows to access sensitive files on the n8n host system. The potential impact of this vulnerability is significant, as it can lead to the exposure of critical configuration data and user credentials, resulting in the complete account takeover of any user on the instance.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.4, categorizing it as critical. This high severity indicates that organizations must prioritize remediation efforts immediately to mitigate the associated risks. The issue has been patched in the mentioned versions, and organizations using older versions are strongly encouraged to upgrade.

Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information, which could result in significant operational disruptions and reputational damage. Given that this vulnerability can be exploited over the network with low attack complexity and minimal privileges required, it becomes imperative for security teams to address this vulnerability as part of their immediate patch cycle.

Currently, there are no known exploits available in the wild, but the nature of the vulnerability presents a clear path for attackers if left unremediated. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.

Vulnerability Details

This vulnerability allows authenticated users with permission to create or modify workflows to read sensitive files from the n8n host system. The official CVE description states: 'n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to versions 1.123.18 and 2.5.0, a vulnerability in the file access controls allows authenticated users with permission to create or modify workflows to read sensitive files from the n8n host system. This can be exploited to obtain critical configuration data and user credentials, leading to complete account takeover of any user on the instance.' The vulnerability is classified under CWE-367.

With a CVSS score of 9.4, this vulnerability signifies a critical threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations running n8n should be aware that the vulnerability's existence gives attackers potential access to sensitive information with low complexity and minimal privileges required.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper file access controls within the n8n platform. Attackers may leverage this to gain unauthorized access to sensitive files. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability without requiring significant technical skills or resources.

The privileges required for exploitation are low, as any authenticated user with the ability to create or modify workflows can initiate the attack. No user interaction is required, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability remotely. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, indicating that successful exploitation could lead to significant data exposure and system compromise.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The deployment of n8n in environments that handle sensitive information increases the risk associated with this vulnerability. Organizations that do not promptly address this vulnerability may face repercussions, including unauthorized access to critical data and potential account takeovers. The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to all users of affected n8n instances, amplifying the urgency for a response.

Given its critical CVSS score and the potential for exploitation, organizations should treat this vulnerability as a priority in their remediation planning. The urgency for patching is critical, and organizations should ensure that they are running the patched versions of n8n to mitigate these risks effectively.

Exploitation Status

Affected Versions

The vulnerability affects all versions of n8n prior to 1.123.18 and from 2.0.0 up to, but not including, 2.5.0. Organizations should ensure they are running the patched versions to mitigate this risk.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should update to n8n versions 1.123.18 or 2.5.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. For those unable to upgrade immediately, implementing strict file access controls and monitoring systems for unauthorized access attempts are advisable. Regularly reviewing and auditing workflow permissions can further help in mitigating risks associated with this vulnerability. Additionally, employing penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for unauthorized file access attempts and review changes in workflow configurations. Behavioral anomalies in user activities may also indicate exploitation. Additionally, system changes that coincide with unauthorized access should be reviewed to identify any suspicious activities.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

This vulnerability in n8n represents a common issue in many web applications where improper file access controls can lead to severe security breaches. Organizations must learn from this incident and ensure that similar vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated proactively. The trend of automation tools being targeted highlights the importance of robust security measures around these platforms.

Security teams should prioritize the implementation of best practices for secure coding and configuration management. The lessons learned from this vulnerability can guide organizations in enhancing their security posture and avoiding future incidents. For more insights on security measures and best practices, organizations can refer to the vulnerability management program and other resources available.

Additionally, organizations can explore penetration testing methodology to further enhance their security framework.