CVE-2026-86073: n8n Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-cw9w-vv67-hf73
CWE-863
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-86073 is a MODERATE remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization) affecting n8n libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves per-resource oauth consent bypass via unbound refresh token resource substitution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.38.1, 2.37.7.

CVE-2026-86073 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-86073
GHSA Identifier GHSA-cw9w-vv67-hf73
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization
Affected Product n8n
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-86073

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: 2.38.1
npm install n8n@2.38.1
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-2026-86073, 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 2.38.1), 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-863: Incorrect Authorization, where the product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check. 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 OAuth token endpoint bound an authorization code's first access token to the consented resource, but not its refresh token. Refreshing only checked that the requested resource was registered, not that it matched the original grant. An OAuth client approved for one workflow could refresh with a different workflow's URL and get a valid, unapproved token for it. The patch binds refresh tokens to the granted resource and rejects mismatches. Exploitation requires the attacker to register an OAuth client, convince an authenticated user to approve that client for one known protected resource, and know the URL of a second protected resource that the consenting user is permitted to execute. ## Patches The issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.38.1 and 2.37.7. 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 n8n instance access to fully trusted users only. - Deactivate MCP Trigger, form, and webhook workflows that are protected by the n8n OAuth server if they are not required. - Audit connected OAuth clients and revoke any that are not recognized or no longer needed. - Require re-authorization for all existing OAuth clients after upgrading, as previously issued refresh tokens did not store the original resource binding. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.

CVE-2026-86073 Affected n8n Versions

2 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.38.12.37.7
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
n8n
npm
≥ 2.38.0
< 2.38.1
2.38.1
n8n
npm
< 2.37.7
2.37.7

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-86073?
CVE-2026-86073 is a security vulnerability in n8n involving Per-Resource OAuth Consent Bypass via Unbound Refresh Token Resource Substitution under CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization.
Which n8n versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.38.1, 2.37.7 across affected packages: n8n.
What version fixes CVE-2026-86073?
Upgrading to 2.38.1, 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 2.38.1, 2.37.7. Upgrade your dependency to 2.38.1, 2.37.7 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2026-86073?
CVE-2026-86073 is classified under CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization (The product performs an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action, but it does not correctly perform the check.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-86073?
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
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-cw9w-vv67-hf73",
  "modified" : "2026-09-10T21:21:49Z",
  "published" : "2026-09-10T21:21:49Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-86073" ],
  "summary" : "n8n: Per-Resource OAuth Consent Bypass via Unbound Refresh Token Resource Substitution",
  "details" : "## Impact\n\nThe OAuth token endpoint bound an authorization code's first access token to the consented resource, but not its refresh token. Refreshing only checked that the requested resource was registered, not that it matched the original grant. An OAuth client approved for one workflow could refresh with a different workflow's URL and get a valid, unapproved token for it. The patch binds refresh tokens to the granted resource and rejects mismatches.\n\nExploitation requires the attacker to register an OAuth client, convince an authenticated user to approve that client for one known protected resource, and know the URL of a second protected resource that the consenting user is permitted to execute.\n\n## Patches\n\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.38.1 and 2.37.7. Users should upgrade to this version 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- Deactivate MCP Trigger, form, and webhook workflows that are protected by the n8n OAuth server if they are not required.\n- Audit connected OAuth clients and revoke any that are not recognized or no longer needed.\n- Require re-authorization for all existing OAuth clients after upgrading, as previously issued refresh tokens did not store the original resource binding.\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:P/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:L/VA:L/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "n8n"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "2.38.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.38.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "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-cw9w-vv67-hf73"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86073"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/pull/37122"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/pull/37588"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/commit/18458482861097a26f874f30ad7e8136e268475c"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/commit/380788fd9a3264c83161e868026a98731d274d88"
  }, {
    "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@2.38.1"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-863" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-09-10T21:21:49Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-09-08T17:18:39Z"
  }
}