n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node (CVE-2026-85166) | HOL Guard CVE

Unknown severity · Source severity not reportedCVE-2026-85166

n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node

Answer in brief

CVE-2026-85166 records a Unknown severity vulnerability in n8n before 2.36.2 Credential Exfiltration via Workflow Tool Node. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. The current feed maps n8n-io/n8n (generic), n8n-io/n8n (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Analysis pending evidence review

HOL Guard separates source facts from reviewed analysis. See the methodology.

Published Sep 3, 2026Updated Sep 3, 2026Source checked Sep 3, 2026First seen by HOL Sep 3, 2026Material review Sep 3, 2026

Upstream Advisory

Key facts

Risk: Unknown severitySource severity not reported
Exploitation: Not marked as known exploited
Affected software: 2 mapped packages or products
Fix availability: Available

Why this deserves its current priority

A CVSS score is not reported in the current record. The current sources do not mark it as known exploited. Treat this as a source-backed prioritization signal, not a statement about your environment.

Analysis status

Analysis pending evidence review

Factual feed record only; HOL analysis is not approved for indexing. Read the methodology.

Affected scope and exposure questions

The current feed maps n8n-io/n8n (generic), n8n-io/n8n (generic). Check affected ranges and fixed versions before updating.

Mapped affected packages and fixed versions
Package	Affected range	Fixed version
n8n-io/n8ngeneric	>=0 <2.36.2	2.36.2
n8n-io/n8ngeneric	>=0 <2.35.4	2.35.4

Recommended response

Check inventory. Check lockfiles and deployed manifests for n8n-io/n8n, n8n-io/n8n.
Review the reported fix. Update n8n-io/n8n to 2.36.2; n8n-io/n8n to 2.35.4 if you use the affected versions. Test the change in a non-production environment first.

Evidence timeline and material changes

Published upstream
Sep 3, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
Source modified
Sep 3, 2026
Evidence: source:cvelist:source_dates:source-dates:record
First seen by HOL
Sep 3, 2026

Sources and claim methodology

Upstream source 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.

Quoted source text, attributed separately from HOL analysis.