CVE-2025-52478: N8n Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2025-52478 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.7) remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')) affecting N8n libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves stored xss in n8n form trigger allows account takeover via injected iframe and video/source. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.98.2.
CVE-2025-52478 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 8.7
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:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N).
How to Fix CVE-2025-52478
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.
npm install n8n@1.98.2Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release:
npm ls n8nHow to Check if You Are Affected
To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2025-52478, inspect your project dependencies using npm:
npm ls n8nAnalyze 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 1.98.2), 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-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'), where the product does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes user-controllable input before it is placed in output that is used as a web page that is served to other users. 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
CVE-2025-52478 Affected N8n Versions
1 component(s)| Product / Package | Ecosystem | Affected Versions | Fixed Version |
|---|---|---|---|
|
n8n
|
npm |
≥ 1.77.0
< 1.98.2
|
1.98.2
|
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2025-52478?
Which N8n versions are affected?
What version fixes CVE-2025-52478?
Is n8n affected?
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2025-52478?
What CWE is associated with CVE-2025-52478?
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2025-52478?
Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-hfmv-hhh3-43f2",
"modified" : "2025-08-19T20:58:33Z",
"published" : "2025-08-19T15:33:35Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2025-52478" ],
"summary" : "Stored XSS in n8n Form Trigger allows Account Takeover via injected iframe and video/source",
"details" : "### Impact\n\nA stored **Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)** vulnerability was identified in [n8n](https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n), specifically in the **Form Trigger** node's **HTML form element**. An authenticated attacker can inject malicious HTML via an `<iframe>` with a `srcdoc` payload that includes arbitrary JavaScript execution. The attacker can also inject malicious Javascript by using `<video>` coupled `<source>` using an `onerror` event.\n\nWhile using `iframe` or a combination of `video` and `source` tag, this vulnerability allows for Account Takeover (ATO) by exfiltrating `n8n-browserId` and session cookies from authenticated users who visit a maliciously crafted form. Using these tokens and cookies, an attacker can impersonate the victim and change account details such as email addresses, enabling full control over the account—especially if 2FA is not enabled.\n\n### Patches\nThe issue was addressed in [PR #16329](https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/pull/16329). Users should upgrade to version >=1.98.2.\n\n### Workarounds\nApart from updating to the fixed version, n8n instance administrators can:\n- Configure a reverse proxy to **serve webhook requests from a different domain** [[docs](https://docs.n8n.io/hosting/configuration/configuration-examples/webhook-url/)].\n- Disable or restrict use of the **Form Trigger node**, particularly the **HTML** element type.\n- Use a Content Security Policy (CSP) to block execution of inline scripts and disallow use of `srcdoc`.\n\n### References\n- [OWASP XSS Prevention Cheat Sheet](https://cheatsheetseries.owasp.org/cheatsheets/XSS_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet.html)\n- [MDN: iframe `srcdoc` attribute](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Element/iframe#attr-srcdoc)\n- [HTML: `onerror` attribute](https://html.spec.whatwg.org/multipage/webappapis.html#handler-onerror)",
"severity" : [ {
"type" : "CVSS_V3",
"score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "n8n"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "1.77.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.98.2"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-hfmv-hhh3-43f2"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-52478"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/pull/16329"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/commit/7940384a85041a1890b1203d69c092c887312500"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2025-08-19T15:33:35Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2025-08-19T17:15:40Z"
}
}