CVE-2026-86074: n8n Instance AI Credential Setup Accepts Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-q5wm-mgqx-fv2f
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CWE-918
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2026-86074 is a MODERATE instance ai credential setup accepts vulnerability (CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)) affecting n8n libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves instance ai credential setup accepts unvalidated probe url from fetched content. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.38.2, 2.37.7.

CVE-2026-86074 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2026-86074
GHSA Identifier GHSA-q5wm-mgqx-fv2f
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Affected Product n8n
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2026-86074

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-2026-86074, 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-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), where the web server receives a url or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this url, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination. 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 Instance AI credential setup accepted a credential test/verification URL without checking it matched the workflow node's origin. Exfiltration required the user to actively inject an attacker-controlled URL into the setup flow. The patch derives the credential destination from the node's own URL and confines authenticated requests, redirects and probes to that origin. ## Patches The issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.38.2 and 2.37.7. 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: - Disable the Instance AI module by removing `instance-ai` from the `N8N_ENABLED_MODULES` environment variable if it is not required. - Restrict n8n instance access to fully trusted users only. - Rotate any third-party API credentials that were set up using the Instance AI credential-setup flow on affected versions. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.

CVE-2026-86074 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-q5wm-mgqx-fv2f
NVD — CVE-2026-86074 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86074
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-2026-86074?
CVE-2026-86074 is a security vulnerability in n8n involving Instance AI Credential Setup Accepts Unvalidated Probe URL from Fetched Content under CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF).
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-2026-86074?
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-2026-86074?
CVE-2026-86074 is classified under CWE-918: Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) (The web server receives a URL or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this URL, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2026-86074?
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-q5wm-mgqx-fv2f",
  "modified" : "2026-09-10T21:18:48Z",
  "published" : "2026-09-10T21:18:48Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2026-86074" ],
  "summary" : "n8n: Instance AI Credential Setup Accepts Unvalidated Probe URL from Fetched Content",
  "details" : "## Impact\n\nInstance AI credential setup accepted a credential test/verification URL without checking it matched the workflow node's origin. Exfiltration required the user to actively inject an attacker-controlled URL into the setup flow. The patch derives the credential destination from the node's own URL and confines authenticated requests, redirects and probes to that origin.\n\n## Patches\n\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n versions 2.38.2 and 2.37.7. 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- Disable the Instance AI module by removing `instance-ai` from the `N8N_ENABLED_MODULES` environment variable if it is not required.\n- Restrict n8n instance access to fully trusted users only.\n- Rotate any third-party API credentials that were set up using the Instance AI credential-setup flow on affected versions.\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:N/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "n8n"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
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      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.38.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  }, {
    "package" : {
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    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
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      }, {
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      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
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    "url" : "https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-q5wm-mgqx-fv2f"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86074"
  }, {
    "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-918" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-09-10T21:18:48Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-09-08T18:21:14Z"
  }
}