Vulnerability · Published Sep 3, 2026 · Assigned by VulnCheck

CVE-2026-85166n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node

High 7.2

In plain English

A high-severity incorrect authorization in n8n from n8n-io. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.4% (higher than 30% of all known vulnerabilities).

Severity (CVSS 4.0)7.2High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.4%top 70.3% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official 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.

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
n8n-io n8n 2.36.0 – before 2.36.2
n8n-io n8n 0 – before 2.35.4

Weakness: CWE-863 · 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

References