GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq: n8n Legacy ExecuteWorkflow Node Bypassed File Vulnerability

MODERATE
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CVSS 6.4
CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.4) legacy executeworkflow node bypassed file vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting n8n libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves legacy executeworkflow node bypassed file path restrictions. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.19.3.

GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq at a Glance

CVE Identifier N/A
GHSA Identifier GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.4
CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Affected Product n8n
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.4

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected n8n dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

n8n fixed: 2.19.3 
npm install n8n@2.19.3
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls n8n

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls n8n

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of n8n in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.19.3), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls n8n command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. In n8n, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

## Impact The `ExecuteWorkflow` node's `localFile` source option read workflow files from disk without applying checks enforced by other file-reading nodes. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could supply an arbitrary file path via the REST API, bypassing the `N8N_RESTRICT_FILE_ACCESS_TO` restriction. This allowed the attacker to determine whether arbitrary files exist on the server host. Where the targeted path contained a valid workflow JSON file, the file could additionally be loaded and executed, potentially triggering actions on downstream systems connected to that workflow. The `localFile` source option is hidden from the n8n UI since v1.2 but remains accessible via the REST API. ## Patches The issue has been fixed in n8n version 2.20.0 or 2.19.3. Users should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability. ## Workarounds If upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations: - Restrict workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users only. - Restrict network access to the n8n REST API to trusted users only. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.

GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq Affected n8n Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.19.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
n8n
npm/n8n
npm
< 2.19.3
2.19.3

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq
n8n Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq?
GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq is a security vulnerability in n8n involving Legacy ExecuteWorkflow Node Bypassed File Path Restrictions under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').
Which n8n versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.19.3 across affected packages: n8n.
What version fixes GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq?
Upgrading to 2.19.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is n8n affected?
Yes, n8n is affected in releases prior to 2.19.3. Upgrade your dependency to 2.19.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq?
GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq?
GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).
How can I check npm dependencies for GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls n8n'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq",
  "modified" : "2026-05-19T15:55:43Z",
  "published" : "2026-05-19T15:55:43Z",
  "aliases" : [ ],
  "summary" : "n8n: Legacy ExecuteWorkflow Node Bypassed File Path Restrictions",
  "details" : "## Impact\nThe `ExecuteWorkflow` node's `localFile` source option read workflow files from disk without applying checks enforced by other file-reading nodes. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could supply an arbitrary file path via the REST API, bypassing the `N8N_RESTRICT_FILE_ACCESS_TO` restriction. This allowed the attacker to determine whether arbitrary files exist on the server host. Where the targeted path contained a valid workflow JSON file, the file could additionally be loaded and executed, potentially triggering actions on downstream systems connected to that workflow.\n\nThe `localFile` source option is hidden from the n8n UI since v1.2 but remains accessible via the REST API.\n\n## Patches\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n version 2.20.0 or 2.19.3. Users should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability.\n\n## Workarounds\nIf upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations:\n- Restrict workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users only.\n- Restrict network access to the n8n REST API to trusted users only.\n\nThese workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "n8n"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.19.3"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-05-19T15:55:43Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}