CVE-2026-27494: N8n N8n Has Arbitrary File Read Vulnerability
HIGHCVE-2026-27494 is a HIGH (CVSS 9.9) n8n has arbitrary file read vulnerability (CWE-497: Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere) affecting N8n libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves n8n has arbitrary file read via python code node sandbox escape. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 1.123.22, 2.9.3, 2.10.1.
CVE-2026-27494 at a Glance
Security Impact
CVSS: 9.9
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:H/I:H/A:H).
How to Fix CVE-2026-27494
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@1.123.22
npm install n8n@2.9.3
npm install n8n@2.10.1
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-2026-27494, 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 1.123.22), 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-497: Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere, where the product does not properly prevent sensitive system-level information from being accessed by unauthorized actors who do not have the same level of access to the underlying system as the product does. 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-2026-27494 Affected N8n Versions
3 component(s)References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2026-27494?
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What version fixes CVE-2026-27494?
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Machine-readable OSV JSON
OSV v1.5 Schema
{
"schema_version" : "1.4.0",
"id" : "GHSA-mmgg-m5j7-f83h",
"modified" : "2026-02-27T21:51:13Z",
"published" : "2026-02-25T21:22:39Z",
"aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-27494" ],
"summary" : "n8n has Arbitrary File Read via Python Code Node Sandbox Escape",
"details" : "## Impact\nAn authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could use the Python Code node to escape the sandbox. The sandbox did not sufficiently restrict access to certain built-in Python objects, allowing an attacker to exfiltrate file contents or achieve RCE.\n\nOn instances using internal Task Runners (default runner mode), this could result in full compromise of the n8n host. On instances using external Task Runners, the attacker might gain access to or impact other task executed on the Task Runner.\n\n- Task Runners must be enabled using `N8N_RUNNERS_ENABLED=true`.\n\n## Patches\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.10.1, 2.9.3, and 1.123.22. 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\n- Limit workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users only.\n- Disable the Code node by adding `n8n-nodes-base.code` to the `NODES_EXCLUDE` environment variable.\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:H/I:H/A:H"
}, {
"type" : "CVSS_V4",
"score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
} ],
"affected" : [ {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "n8n"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "0"
}, {
"fixed" : "1.123.22"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "n8n"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.0.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.9.3"
} ]
} ]
}, {
"package" : {
"ecosystem" : "npm",
"name" : "n8n"
},
"ranges" : [ {
"type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
"events" : [ {
"introduced" : "2.10.0"
}, {
"fixed" : "2.10.1"
} ]
} ]
} ],
"references" : [ {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-mmgg-m5j7-f83h"
}, {
"type" : "ADVISORY",
"url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-27494"
}, {
"type" : "PACKAGE",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@1.123.22"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.10.1"
}, {
"type" : "WEB",
"url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.9.3"
} ],
"database_specific" : {
"cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-497" ],
"severity" : "HIGH",
"github_reviewed" : true,
"github_reviewed_at" : "2026-02-25T21:22:39Z",
"nvd_published_at" : "2026-02-25T23:16:20Z"
}
}