n8n: Prototype Pollution via VM Expression Engine Sandbox Escape Leads to Denial of Service
Key facts
- Attack vector
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- Privileges required
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- User interaction
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- Attack complexity
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- Impact type
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- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
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- Fix status
- Fixed
No CVSS vector from any source. Fix status from GitHub.
Summary
## Impact An authenticated user able to create or edit a workflow expression could abuse the expression engine's array-element access to obtain a reference to a host built-in and pollute its prototype in the main n8n process, leading to a denial of service. Both self-hosted and cloud instances running the VM expression engine are affected. ## Patches The issue has been fixed in n8n versions 1.123.67, 2.31.5, and 2.32.1. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the vulnerability. ## Workarounds If upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations: - Restrict n8n instance access to fully trusted users only. - Disable the VM expression engine if an alternative is available for your deployment. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | n8n (npm) | before 1.123.67 | 1.123.67 | Patch available | GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh |
| — | n8n (npm) | 2.32.0 to before 2.32.1 | 2.32.1 | Patch available | GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh |
| — | n8n (npm) | 2.0.0-rc.0 to before 2.31.5 | 2.31.5 | Patch available | GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh |
- n8n (npm) Vendor— Affected before 1.123.67 Fixed in 1.123.67 Patch available GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh
- n8n (npm) Vendor— Affected 2.32.0 to before 2.32.1 Fixed in 2.32.1 Patch available GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh
- n8n (npm) Vendor— Affected 2.0.0-rc.0 to before 2.31.5 Fixed in 2.31.5 Patch available GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh
Remediation
- Fix · GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh n8n (npm) Fixed in 1.123.67 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh n8n (npm) Fixed in 2.32.1 Advisory →
- Fix · GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh n8n (npm) Fixed in 2.31.5 Advisory →
Timeline
- 2026-10-03 Threatist record created from GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh
References
Other 6
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-hx4h-vr3m-45vh
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/commit/f69dfc6dd2178a14ea1624d2e1d403c2e755042f
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/[email protected]
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/[email protected]
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/[email protected]
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences