CVE-2026-59259
mediumpriority · track · 26EPSS 0.004 · 38 %ileDEEUUSEPSS · scored 2026-10-27
n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.
cvss
Technical severity, 0–10. One row per scoring source.
base score 0–10 · higher = more severe · hover a vector to decode⚠ sources disagree · low–medium · 2.3–6.5
ssvc
A stakeholder decision — act, attend, or track — from exploitation and impact.
weaknesses
The CWE weakness classes this flaw belongs to.
affected products (15)
Products and version ranges known to be affected.
advisories (2)
Vendor and ecosystem advisories describing this.
- WID-SEC-W-2026-2067n8n: Mehrere SchwachstellenDeutsch2026-06-24csaf · cert_bundDE
Ein entfernter, authentisierter Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in n8n ausnutzen, um SQL-Injection durchzuführen, Sicherheitsmaßnahmen zu umgehen, vertrauliche Informationen offenzulegen, Daten zu manipulieren oder einen Denial-of-Service-Zustand zu verursachen.
- GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qmn8n: External Secrets Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch2026-07-22ghsa · osvUS
## Impact Due to a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine, an authenticated user with credential create or update permissions, but without the `externalSecret:list` scope, could embed external secret references into credentials in forms the validation did not detect. These references would resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user was not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use. ## Patches The issue has been fixed in n8n versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1. 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: - Restrict credential creation and update permissions to fully trusted users only. - Audit existing credentials for unexpected external secret references. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.
also known as (4)
Other names and identifiers for this entity.
sources
Which sources assert this record, and when.
references (6)
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qmcnnvd
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-permission-bypass-via-expression-parser-mismatch-in-external-secretscnnvd
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qmenisa_euvd
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-permission-bypass-via-expression-parser-mismatch-in-external-secretsenisa_euvd
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qmVendor Advisorynvd
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-permission-bypass-via-expression-parser-mismatch-in-external-secretsThird Party Advisorynvd
Attackers weaponise vulnerabilities like this against internet-exposed services. See what is exposed on your perimeter with a free passive scan.
Free scan