CVE-2026-86996: n8n Agent Workflow Tool Bypasses Sub-Workflow Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-7hgx-277f-7vmg
Share
CWE-862
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-86996 is a MODERATE agent workflow tool bypasses sub-workflow vulnerability (CWE-862: Missing Authorization) affecting n8n libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves agent workflow tool bypasses sub-workflow caller policy. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.38.2, 2.37.7.

CVE-2026-86996 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-86996
GHSA Identifier GHSA-7hgx-277f-7vmg
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-862: Missing Authorization
Affected Product n8n
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-86996

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: 2.38.2 
npm install n8n@2.38.2
n8n fixed: 2.37.7 
npm install n8n@2.37.7
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 CVE-2026-86996, 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 2.38.2), 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-862: Missing Authorization, where the product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. 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 A workflow's "_This workflow can be called by_" setting was enforced by the Execute Workflow node but was not consulted when the same workflow was attached to an Agent as a tool. A user who could build an Agent could therefore call a workflow that its owner had restricted, and read back what it returned. The patch applies the sub-workflow caller policy on the Agent tool path. ## Patches The issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.37.7 and 2.38.2. 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. - Audit workflows attached as Agent tools and review their caller policy settings. - Remove sensitive workflows from Agent tool configurations until the instance is patched. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.

CVE-2026-86996 Affected n8n Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.38.22.37.7
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
n8n
npm/n8n
npm
≥ 2.38.0
< 2.38.2
2.38.2
n8n
npm/n8n
npm
< 2.37.7
2.37.7

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-7hgx-277f-7vmg
n8n Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n
n8n Release RELEASE
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.37.7
n8n Release RELEASE
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.38.2

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-86996?
CVE-2026-86996 is a security vulnerability in n8n involving Agent Workflow Tool Bypasses Sub-Workflow Caller Policy under CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Which n8n versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.38.2, 2.37.7 across affected packages: n8n.
What version fixes CVE-2026-86996?
Upgrading to 2.38.2, 2.37.7 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is n8n affected?
Yes, n8n is affected in releases prior to 2.38.2, 2.37.7. Upgrade your dependency to 2.38.2, 2.37.7 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-86996?
CVE-2026-86996 is classified under CWE-862: Missing Authorization (The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-86996?
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-7hgx-277f-7vmg",
  "modified" : "2026-09-08T21:33:47Z",
  "published" : "2026-09-08T21:33:47Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-86996" ],
  "summary" : "n8n: Agent Workflow Tool Bypasses Sub-Workflow Caller Policy",
  "details" : "## Impact\n\nA workflow's \"_This workflow can be called by_\" setting was enforced by the Execute Workflow node but was not consulted when the same workflow was attached to an Agent as a tool. A user who could build an Agent could therefore call a workflow that its owner had restricted, and read back what it returned. The patch applies the sub-workflow caller policy on the Agent tool path.\n\n## Patches\n\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.37.7 and 2.38.2. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the vulnerability.\n\n## Workarounds\n\nIf upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations:\n- Restrict n8n instance access to fully trusted users only.\n- Audit workflows attached as Agent tools and review their caller policy settings.\n- Remove sensitive workflows from Agent tool configurations until the instance is patched.\n\nThese workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "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" : "2.38.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.38.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "n8n"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.37.7"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-7hgx-277f-7vmg"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.37.7"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.38.2"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-862" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-09-08T21:33:47Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : null
  }
}