n8n - Arbitrary File Read and Execution via ExecuteWorkflow localFile Parameter
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2026-56352 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | VulnCheck |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2026-07-15 12:18:02 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-07-15 18:20:21 UTC |
| Description | n8n before 2.19.3 contains a file path restriction bypass in the legacy ExecuteWorkflow node's localFile source option, which reads workflow files from disk without the file-access checks enforced by other file-reading nodes. Although hidden from the UI since v1.2, it remains reachable via the REST API. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows can supply an arbitrary file path to bypass the N8N_RESTRICT_FILE_ACCESS_TO restriction and determine whether arbitrary files exist on the host; where the targeted path contains a valid workflow JSON file, that file can additionally be loaded and executed. |
Risk And Classification
Primary CVSS: v4.0 5.3 MEDIUM from [email protected]
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
EPSS: 0.002480000 probability, percentile 0.161160000 (date 2026-07-16)
Problem Types: CWE-22 | CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
| Version | Source | Type | Score | Severity | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | [email protected] | Secondary | 5.3 | MEDIUM | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/C... |
| 4.0 | CNA | CVSS | 5.3 | MEDIUM | CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N |
| 3.1 | [email protected] | Secondary | 6.4 | MEDIUM | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N |
| 3.1 | CNA | CVSS | 6.4 | MEDIUM | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N |
CVSS v4.0 Breakdown
Attack Vector
NetworkAttack Complexity
LowAttack Requirements
NonePrivileges Required
LowUser Interaction
NoneConfidentiality
LowIntegrity
LowAvailability
NoneSub Conf.
LowSub Integrity
LowSub Availability
NoneCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
CVSS v3.1 Breakdown
Attack Vector
NetworkAttack Complexity
LowPrivileges Required
LowUser Interaction
NoneScope
ChangedConfidentiality
LowIntegrity
LowAvailability
NoneCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Vendor Declared Affected Products
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-arbitrary-file-read-and-execution-via-executew... | [email protected] | www.vulncheck.com | |
| github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-2vx9-7wpg-88jq | [email protected] | github.com | |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
Vendor Comments And Credit
Discovery Credit
CNA: YLChen-007 (en)
There are currently no legacy QID mappings associated with this CVE.