CRITICAL CVSS 10.0
Published: 2026-01-08

CVE-2026-21858

n8n n8n Security Advisory (CVE-2026-21858)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2026-21858 impacting n8n n8n. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 10.0 (CRITICAL).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Versions starting with 1.65.0 and below 1.121.0 enable an attacker to access files on the underlying server through execution of certain form-based workflows. A vulnerable workflow could grant access to an unauthenticated remote attacker, resulting in exposure of sensitive information stored on the system and may enable further compromise depending on deployment configuration and workflow usage. This issue is fixed in version 1.121.0.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
None (PR:N)
Unauthenticated execution
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Changed (S:C)
Impacts components beyond caller authority
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
High (I:H)
Total modification of target system
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product n8n / n8n
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-20

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2026-21858 impacting n8n n8n.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2026-21858.yaml
id: cve-2026-21858

info:
  name: n8n n8n - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: critical
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2026-21858 affecting n8n n8n.
    Evaluation: n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Versions starting with 1.65.0 and below 1.121.0 enable an attacker to access files on the underlyi...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2026-21858
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N
    cvss-score: 10.0
    cve-id: CVE-2026-21858
    cwe-id: CWE-20
  tags: cve,cve-2026-21858,n8n,n8n,critical

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "n8n"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2026-21858.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2026-21858
# Target: n8n n8n | CVSS: 10.0 (CRITICAL)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2026-21858 (n8n n8n)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against n8n n8n scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2026-21858.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2026-21858
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install n8n 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade n8n 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update n8n

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i n8n 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i n8n

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

🔗 Verified Technical References

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2026-21858 in n8n n8n?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update n8n n8n packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2026-21858?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2026-21858?

CVE-2026-21858 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 10.0 (CRITICAL). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
10.0
CRITICAL SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2026-21858
Weakness CWE-20
Vendor n8n
Product n8n
Published 2026-01-08
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N