Critical severity · published Sep 3, 2026
CVE-2026-85165
n8n before 2.36.2 Expression Sandbox Bypass via SpreadElement
9.9
CVSS
0.6%
EPSS
No
On KEV
Description
n8n versions before 2.36.2 contain an expression sandbox bypass vulnerability where free identifiers in spread, computed-key, switch-case, or class-extension positions resolve against process globals. Authenticated users with workflow-edit permission can mutate host objects through expression evaluation, with changes persisting process-wide until restart.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Changed
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)0.6% · higher than 47% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
N8
n8n · n8n-io
before 2.36.2; before 2.35.4 · source: vendor, NVD
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85165
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-85165
Mitigation
https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-fg85-4wv2-p98j
Third Party Advisory
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-before-2.36.2-expression-sandbox-bypass-via-spreadelement
More from n8n
8.8
CVE-2025-68613
n8n Vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via Expression Injection
10.0
CVE-2026-54309
n8n: n8n MCP Browser HTTP Transport Exposes Unauthenticated Browser-Control Sessions
10.0
CVE-2026-21858
n8n Vulnerable to Unauthenticated File Access via Improper Webhook Request Handling
9.9
CVE-2026-72765
n8n before 2.32.1 Remote Code Execution via Expression Sandbox Escape
9.9
CVE-2026-44791
n8n: XML Node Prototype Pollution Patch Bypass