n8n: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
CVE-2026-103257 is a high-severity improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory vulnerability in n8n, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.7 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 1.123.80, 2.39.6, 2.40.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating n8n to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.43% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update n8n to 1.123.80 or 2.39.6 or 2.40.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| n8n | n8n | before 1.123.80; 2.0.0 up to, but not including, 2.39.6; 2.40.0 up to, but not including, 2.40.1 | 1.123.80, 2.39.6, 2.40.1 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- HighSuccess depends on conditions outside the attacker's control.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.1 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.7 | High | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
n8n versions before 1.123.80, from 2.0.0 before 2.39.6, and from 2.40.0 before 2.40.1 contain a path traversal vulnerability in the n8n node that fails to validate resource identifiers. Attackers can craft malicious resource IDs to redirect API calls to unintended resources, allowing unauthorized access to workflows, executions, and credential secrets within the API key's scope.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory
The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid.
- Use an application firewall that can detect attacks against this weakness. It can be beneficial in cases in which the code cannot be fixed (because it is controlled by a third party), as an emergency prevention measure while more comprehensive software assurance measures are applied, or to provide defense in depth.
More Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities (CWE-22)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in n8n
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
Recent Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory vulnerabilities
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Fortinet FortiMail Path Traversal Exploited
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.