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.
History

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node
First Time appeared N8n
N8n n8n
Weaknesses CWE-863
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:n8n:n8n:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products N8n
N8n n8n
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 7.2, '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'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: VulnCheck

Published: 2026-09-03T11:22:16.613Z

Updated: 2026-09-03T14:30:17.597Z

Reserved: 2026-09-03T11:05:09.078Z

Link: CVE-2026-85166

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-09-03T14:05:19.995Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-09-03T13:06:23.867

Modified: 2026-09-08T20:10:30.270

Link: CVE-2026-85166

cve-icon Redhat

No data.