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Improper Privilege Management

CVE-2025-68697

Medium
5.4/10

Summary

n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to version 2.0.0, in self-hosted n8n instances where the Code node runs in legacy (non-task-runner) JavaScript execution mode, authenticated users with workflow editing access can invoke internal helper functions from within the Code node. This allows a workflow editor to perform actions on the n8n host with the same privileges as the n8n process, including: reading files from the host filesystem (subject to any file-access restrictions configured on the instance and OS/container permissions), and writing files to the host filesystem (subject to the same restrictions). This issue has been patched in version 2.0.0. Workarounds for this issue involve limiting file operations by setting `N8N_RESTRICT_FILE_ACCESS_TO` to a dedicated directory (e.g., `~/.n8n-files`) and ensure it contains no sensitive data, keeping `N8N_BLOCK_FILE_ACCESS_TO_N8N_FILES=true` (default) to block access to .n8n and user-defined config files, and disabling high-risk nodes (including the Code node) using `NODES_EXCLUDE` if workflow editors are not fully trusted.

  • LOW
  • NETWORK
  • LOW
  • UNCHANGED
  • NONE
  • LOW
  • LOW
  • NONE

CWE-269 - Improper Privilege Management

An effective privilege management infrastructure provides valid users with required access and privileges across heterogeneous technology environments. An application with a faulty privilege management infrastructure allows higher than authorized privileges or enables privilege escalation. This can lead to security incidents such as system infiltration, data breach, and complete system takeover.

References

Advisory Timeline

  • Published