CVE-2026-85166

n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node

Published Sep 3, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 7.2 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
n8n before 2.35.4 and 2.36.x before 2.36.2 does not validate credential references in the inline workflow JSON of nodes that execute an inline sub-workflow (e.g., the Workflow Tool node). A shared-workflow editor, or any user creating/updating a workflow via the REST API, Public API, or MCP, can persist a node referencing a credential they do not own. When the workflow is later executed under an identity that holds the credential, the inline sub-workflow resolves the secret and can send it to an attacker-controlled endpoint, resulting in credential exfiltration.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:n8n:n8n:*:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:*
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description n8n before 2.35.4 and 2.36.x before 2.36.2 does not validate credential references in the inline workflow JSON of nodes that execute an inline sub-workflow (e.g., the Workflow Tool node). A shared-workflow editor, or any user creating/updating a workflow via the REST API, Public API, or MCP, can persist a node referencing a credential they do not own. When the workflow is later executed under an identity that holds the credential, the inline sub-workflow resolves the secret and can send it to an attacker-controlled endpoint, resulting in credential exfiltration.
Title n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node
First Time appeared N8n
N8n n8n
Weaknesses CWE-863
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:n8n:n8n:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products N8n
N8n n8n
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.2, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
VulnCheck
Published
Updated
Oct 29, 2026, 9:16 PM
Reserved
Sep 3, 2026, 11:05 AM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Sep 3, 2026, 1:06 PM
Modified
Oct 29, 2026, 9:17 PM