CVE-2026-85169: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') in n8n-io n8n
Description
n8n versions before 1.123.73, 2.35.4, and 2.36.2 contain an expression sandbox escape in the $fromAI handler. $fromAI resolved a caller-supplied placeholder name without requiring it to be an own property and admitted reserved keys; against a primitive input value it returned a live host-prototype reference. An attacker with workflow-build privilege can walk the prototype chain to the Function constructor and compile/execute arbitrary code in the main n8n process, leading to remote code execution.
CVSS v4.0
Score 8.7high
Affected software
n8n-io
n8n
n8n-io
n8n
n8n-io
n8n
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vulnerability in n8n arises from the $fromAI handler resolving caller-supplied placeholder names without restricting them to own properties and allowing reserved keys. When given a primitive input, it returns a live host-prototype reference. An attacker with workflow-build privileges can exploit this to traverse the prototype chain to the Function constructor, compile, and execute arbitrary code in the main n8n process, resulting in remote code execution. This affects versions prior to 1.123.73, 2.35.4, and 2.36.2.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation allows an attacker with workflow-build privileges to execute arbitrary code remotely on the n8n server process. This can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the system running n8n, potentially leading to full system compromise depending on the environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
Patch status is not yet confirmed — check the vendor advisory for current remediation guidance. Until an official fix is available, restrict workflow-build privileges to trusted users only to mitigate risk.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- VulnCheck
- Date Reserved
- 2026-09-03T11:05:09.078Z
- Cvss Version
- 4.0
- State
- PUBLISHED
Threat ID: 6a995c08acd9273b49dbb6ab
Added to database: 09/03/2026, 11:37:44 UTC
Last enriched: 09/07/2026, 11:51:57 UTC
Last updated: 10/17/2026, 06:48:21 UTC
Views: 81
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