n8n before 2.36.2 Expression Sandbox Bypass via SpreadElement
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-95.
Summary
n8n versions before 2.36.2 contain an expression sandbox bypass vulnerability where free identifiers in spread, computed-key, switch-case, or class-extension positions resolve against process globals. Authenticated users with workflow-edit permission can mutate host objects through expression evaluation, with changes persisting process-wide until restart.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA n8n (n8n-io) Fixed in 2.36.2
- Fix · CNA n8n (n8n-io) Fixed in 2.35.4
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
n8n-io n8n 2.35.4, 2.36.2
8 records Highest priority Priority MEDIUM 1 MEDIUM, 7 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-58502 n8n before 1.123.73 Remote Code Execution via $fromAI Prototype LeakPriority MEDIUM 41
- TI-2026-58501 n8n before 1.123.73 Remote Code Execution via Git NodePriority LOW 37
- TI-2026-58504 n8n before 1.123.73 Credential Exposure via Error LoggingPriority LOW 32
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-85165
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-qhgm-jv25-h5h2
- 2026-10-29 Affected versions changed · CNA
References
More N8n vulnerabilities
- TI-2025-42131 n8n Vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via Expression Injection KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-17560 n8n Vulnerable to Unauthenticated File Access via Improper Webhook Request Handling CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-01167 Authenticated users can bypass the Expression sandbox mechanism to achieve full remote… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2026-00644 Sandbox escape in n8n Python task runner allows for arbitrary code execution on the underlying host. CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.9
- TI-2025-35293 An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Chat Trigger component of N8N v1.95.3… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2023-12275 The n8n package 0.218.0 for Node.js allows Escalation of Privileges. CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-85165 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-85165 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-qhgm-jv25-h5h2 · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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