Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-27498 is a critical n8n vulnerability that can let a lower-privileged authenticated workflow editor run commands on the n8n server. The risk is highest where many users can create or edit workflows. Public sources do not show known active exploitation, but the impact is severe if abused.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation for any production n8n instance with multiple workflow editors or sensitive integrations. Successful exploitation could compromise the automation host and connected secrets or systems. Upgrade should be treated as urgent, even without confirmed active exploitation.
Technical view
Before n8n 1.123.8 and 2.2.0, users with workflow creation or modification permission could chain the Read/Write Files from Disk node with git operations to achieve remote code execution. The advisory maps this to CWE-94 and CVSS 4.0 score 9.0, with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposed systems are n8n instances running versions below 1.123.8, or 2.x versions from 2.0.0 before 2.2.0, where authenticated users can create or modify workflows. Exposure increases when workflow editing is broadly delegated or the file read/write node is enabled.
Exploitation context
The attack requires authentication and workflow creation or editing permission. The CVSS vector indicates network access, low attack complexity, and no user interaction. The source bundle says KEV is false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The public advisory provides the vulnerable version ranges, required privileges, affected node, git-operation chaining concept, and fixed versions. It does not provide evidence of exploitation in the wild. Avoid assuming unauthenticated exposure; the documented prerequisite is an authenticated user with workflow creation or modification permission.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade n8n to 1.123.8, 2.2.0, or a later fixed version.
- Limit workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users.
- Temporarily disable the Read/Write Files from Disk node using vendor-documented NODES_EXCLUDE guidance.
- Treat workarounds as short-term only; they do not fully remediate the issue.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all n8n deployments and record exact versions.
- Confirm affected instances are upgraded to 1.123.8, 2.2.0, or later.
- Review which users can create or modify workflows.
- Check whether the Read/Write Files from Disk node is enabled.
- Review n8n host and workflow activity for unexpected changes or git operations.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-94: Code execution behavior lookup
Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-27498 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9 (4.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H——Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 4.0 score
9CriticalVector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-x2mw-7j39-93xqCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/commit/97365caf253978ba8e46d7bc53fa7ac3b6f67b32CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/commit/e22acaab3dcb2004e5fe0bf9ef2db975bde61866CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@1.123.8CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.2.0CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.