Regular expression DoS in n8n Read/Write Files node
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Denial of service
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · None · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-1333.
Summary
n8n before 1.123.85, from 2.0.0 before 2.43.5, and from 2.44.0 before 2.44.1 are affected. An inefficient regular expression (CWE-1333) lets authenticated members block the event loop with crafted glob patterns. A member who can create and run workflows submits a wildcard-heavy File(s) Selector pattern that causes exponential backtracking, making the UI, API, webhooks, and health checks unresponsive until restart.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
Description from the CNA
n8n before 1.123.85, 2.43.5, and 2.44.1 contains a regular expression denial of service vulnerability that allows authenticated members to block the event loop via crafted glob patterns. Attackers who can create and run workflows can submit a wildcard-heavy File(s) Selector pattern causing exponential backtracking, making the UI, API, webhooks, and health checks unresponsive until restart.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
Upgrade n8n to 1.123.85 if running a version before 1.123.85, to 2.43.5 if running a version from 2.0.0 before 2.43.5, or to 2.44.1 if running 2.44.0.
Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-11-04
- Fix · CNA n8n (n8n-io) Fixed in 1.123.85
- Fix · CNA n8n (n8n-io) Fixed in 2.44.1
- Fix · CNA n8n (n8n-io) Fixed in 2.43.5
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Release ·
n8n-io n8n 2.43.5, 2.44.1
11 records Highest priority Priority LOW 11 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-82163 Authorization bypass in n8n exposes Data Table rows of all projectsPriority LOW 39
- TI-2026-82162 Stored cross-site scripting in n8n webhook responsesPriority LOW 38
- TI-2026-82159 Filter injection in n8n Quick Base node Where parameterPriority LOW 30
- Release ·
n8n-io n8n 1.123.85
10 records Highest priority Priority LOW 10 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2026-82162 Stored cross-site scripting in n8n webhook responsesPriority LOW 38
- TI-2026-82159 Filter injection in n8n Quick Base node Where parameterPriority LOW 30
- TI-2026-82155 OData filter injection in n8n Outlook and SharePoint nodesPriority LOW 30
Timeline
- 2026-10-28 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-118646
- 2026-10-28 Alias added: GHSA-59m3-j5wq-r7rq
- 2026-10-30 Priority changed: MEDIUM → LOW
- 2026-11-04 CISA SSVC decision points changed
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-2026-82991 Code execution in n8n via deprecated Function nodes CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2025-35293 An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Chat Trigger component of N8N v1.95.3… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-118646 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-118646 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-59m3-j5wq-r7rq · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
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