{"id":"CVE-2026-59259","aliases":["EUVD-2026-44635","GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm","GHSA-q6mx-qvhp-fqmg"],"status":"published","title":"n8n - Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch in External Secrets","description":"n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","severity":{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N","level":"medium","assessor":"cna","from":"cve"},"epss":{"day":"2026-11-09","score":0.00438,"percentile":0.38304,"model":"v2026.06.15"},"facts":{"in_kev":false,"known_exploited":false,"public_exploit":false,"fix_available":true},"cwes":["CWE-639"],"published":"2026-07-15T11:25:35Z","modified":"2026-10-31T02:30:40Z","fixes":[{"ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","fixed_in":["1.123.61","2.28.1","2.27.4"],"sources":["ghsa","osv"]}],"affected":[{"source":"ghsa","ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","ranges":[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"fixed":"1.123.61"}]}]},{"source":"ghsa","ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","ranges":[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"2.28.0"},{"fixed":"2.28.1"}]}]},{"source":"ghsa","ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","ranges":[{"type":"ECOSYSTEM","events":[{"introduced":"2.0.0-rc.0"},{"fixed":"2.27.4"}]}]},{"source":"osv","ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","ranges":[{"type":"SEMVER","events":[{"introduced":"0"},{"fixed":"1.123.61"}]}]},{"source":"osv","ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","ranges":[{"type":"SEMVER","events":[{"introduced":"2.28.0"},{"fixed":"2.28.1"}]}]},{"source":"osv","ecosystem":"npm","package":"n8n","ranges":[{"type":"SEMVER","events":[{"introduced":"2.0.0-rc.0"},{"fixed":"2.27.4"}]}]}],"products":[{"vendor":"n8n","product":"n8n"},{"vendor":"n8n-io","product":"n8n"}],"references":[{"url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm","tags":["vendor-advisory","Vendor Advisory","advisory","web"]},{"url":"https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-permission-bypass-via-expression-parser-mismatch-in-external-secrets","tags":["third-party-advisory","Third Party Advisory","advisory","web"]},{"url":"https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59259","tags":["advisory"]},{"url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@1.123.61","tags":["web"]},{"url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.27.4","tags":["web"]},{"url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.28.1","tags":["web"]},{"url":"https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm"},{"url":"https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-q6mx-qvhp-fqmg"},{"url":"https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2026/59xxx/CVE-2026-59259.json","tags":["advisory"]},{"url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n","tags":["package"]}],"sources":{"cve":[{"id":"CVE-2026-59259","title":"n8n - Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch in External Secrets","description":"n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","status":"published","published":"2026-07-15T11:25:35.53Z","modified":"2026-10-29T21:16:04.961Z","cvss":[{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N","level":"medium","assessor":"cna"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T14:19:58.560602Z"}],"euvd":[{"id":"EUVD-2026-44635","description":"n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","status":"published","published":"2026-07-15T11:25:35Z","modified":"2026-10-29T21:16:04Z","cvss":[{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N","level":"medium"}],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T16:59:14.250155Z"}],"ghsa":[{"id":"GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm","title":"n8n: External Secrets Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch","description":"## Impact\nDue to a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine, an authenticated user with credential create or update permissions, but without the `externalSecret:list` scope, could embed external secret references into credentials in forms the validation did not detect. These references would resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user was not authorized to access.\n\nThis issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.\n\n## Patches\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the vulnerability.\n\n## Workarounds\nIf upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations:\n- Restrict credential creation and update permissions to fully trusted users only.\n- Audit existing credentials for unexpected external secret references.\n\nThese workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.","status":"published","published":"2026-07-22T22:21:20Z","modified":"2026-07-22T22:21:21Z","cvss":[{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N","level":"medium"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T14:40:51.375752Z"},{"id":"GHSA-q6mx-qvhp-fqmg","title":"Duplicate Advisory: External Secrets Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch","description":"## Duplicate Advisory\n\nThis advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm. This link is maintained to preserve external references.\n\n## Original Description\nn8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","status":"withdrawn","published":"2026-07-15T12:32:03Z","modified":"2026-07-22T22:21:06Z","cvss":[{"version":"3.1","score":6.5,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N","level":"medium"},{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X","level":"medium"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T14:40:51.375752Z"}],"nvd":[{"id":"CVE-2026-59259","description":"n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","status":"published","published":"2026-07-15T12:18:17.797Z","modified":"2026-10-29T19:17:25.023Z","cvss":[{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X","level":"medium","assessor":"secondary"},{"version":"3.1","score":6.5,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N","level":"medium","assessor":"primary"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T14:12:29.879716Z"}],"osv":[{"id":"CVE-2026-59259","title":"n8n - Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch in External Secrets","description":"n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","status":"published","published":"2026-07-15T11:25:35.53Z","modified":"2026-10-31T02:30:40.32171373Z","cvss":[{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N","level":"medium"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T15:45:12.496548Z"},{"id":"GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm","title":"n8n: External Secrets Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch","description":"## Impact\nDue to a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine, an authenticated user with credential create or update permissions, but without the `externalSecret:list` scope, could embed external secret references into credentials in forms the validation did not detect. These references would resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user was not authorized to access.\n\nThis issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.\n\n## Patches\nThe issue has been fixed in n8n versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the vulnerability.\n\n## Workarounds\nIf upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations:\n- Restrict credential creation and update permissions to fully trusted users only.\n- Audit existing credentials for unexpected external secret references.\n\nThese workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.","status":"published","published":"2026-07-22T22:21:20Z","modified":"2026-07-22T22:31:05.997938837Z","cvss":[{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N","level":"medium"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T15:46:50.687609Z"},{"id":"GHSA-q6mx-qvhp-fqmg","title":"Duplicate Advisory: External Secrets Permission Bypass via Expression Parser Mismatch","description":"## Duplicate Advisory\n\nThis advisory has been withdrawn because it is a duplicate of GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qm. This link is maintained to preserve external references.\n\n## Original Description\nn8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.","status":"withdrawn","published":"2026-07-15T12:32:03Z","modified":"2026-07-22T22:31:05.997517779Z","cvss":[{"version":"3.1","score":6.5,"vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N","level":"medium"},{"version":"4.0","score":6,"vector":"CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X","level":"medium"}],"cwes":["CWE-639"],"updated_at":"2026-11-02T15:46:54.055966Z"}]}}