n8n: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
CVE-2026-54309 is a critical-severity missing authentication for critical functionality vulnerability in n8n, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected n8n versions: >= 2.26.0, < 2.26.2; < 2.25.7. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.55% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of n8n you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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
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
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 8.8 | High | CNA (github.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 10.0 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to 2.25.7 and 2.26.2, when @n8n/mcp-browser is run in HTTP transport mode, the MCP endpoint accepts session initialization and tool invocation requests without any authentication. Any network-reachable client, or any website visited by the user, can establish an MCP session and invoke browser-control tools. Where the n8n AI Browser Bridge extension is installed and a browser connection is active, an unauthenticated caller can access browser-control capabilities including navigation, JavaScript evaluation, and cookie and storage access against the user's real browser profile. This issue only affects instances where @n8n/mcp-browser is run with the HTTP transport (--transport http). This vulnerability is fixed in 2.25.7 and 2.26.2.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.
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. For example, consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator.
- When storing data in the cloud (e.g., S3 buckets, Azure blobs, Google Cloud Storage, etc.), use the provider's controls to require strong authentication for users who should be allowed to access the data.
More Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities (CWE-306)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
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 Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
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