CVE-2026-42231

n8n: Prototype Pollution in XML Webhook Body Parser Leads to RCE

Published May 4, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 9.4 Critical EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to versions 1.123.32, 2.17.4, and 2.18.1, a flaw in the xml2js library used to parse XML request bodies in n8n's webhook handler allowed prototype pollution via a crafted XML payload. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could exploit this to pollute the JavaScript object prototype and, by chaining the pollution with the Git node's SSH operations, achieve remote code execution on the n8n host. This issue has been patched in versions 1.123.32, 2.17.4, and 2.18.1.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

Source ID Title
Github GHSA Github GHSA GHSA-q5f4-99jv-pgg5 n8n has Prototype Pollution in XML Webhook Body Parser that Leads to RCE
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:n8n:n8n:*:*:*:*:enterprise:node.js:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:n8n:n8n:2.18.0:*:*:*:enterprise:node.js:*:*
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared N8n
N8n n8n
Vendors & Products N8n
N8n n8n
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to versions 1.123.32, 2.17.4, and 2.18.1, a flaw in the xml2js library used to parse XML request bodies in n8n's webhook handler allowed prototype pollution via a crafted XML payload. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could exploit this to pollute the JavaScript object prototype and, by chaining the pollution with the Git node's SSH operations, achieve remote code execution on the n8n host. This issue has been patched in versions 1.123.32, 2.17.4, and 2.18.1.
Title n8n: Prototype Pollution in XML Webhook Body Parser Leads to RCE
Weaknesses CWE-1321
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 9.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
May 5, 2026, 3:56 AM
Reserved
Apr 25, 2026, 5:37 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
May 4, 2026, 7:16 PM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 11:10 PM