Full Report
A critical security vulnerability has been disclosed in the n8n workflow automation platform that, if successfully exploited, could result in arbitrary code execution under certain circumstances. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-68613, carries a CVSS score of 9.9 out of a maximum of 10.0. The package has about 57,000 weekly downloads, according to statistics on npm. "Under certain
Analysis Summary
# Vulnerability: Critical Arbitrary Code Execution in n8n Workflow Automation Platform
## CVE Details
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-68613
- CVSS Score: 9.9 (Critical)
- CWE: Not specified in context. Likely related to Insecure Deserialization or Injection.
## Affected Systems
- Products: n8n workflow automation platform (npm package)
- Versions: All versions including and higher than 0.211.0 AND below 1.120.4
- Configurations: Requires an authenticated user supplying expressions during workflow configuration.
## Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability exists because expressions supplied by authenticated users during workflow configuration may be evaluated in an execution context that is not sufficiently isolated from the underlying runtime. An authenticated attacker can abuse this behavior to achieve Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE) with the privileges of the running n8n process. Successful exploitation can lead to a full compromise of the affected instance, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of workflows, and execution of system-level operations.
## Exploitation
- Status: Vulnerability disclosed; exploitation status in the wild not specified, but the critical severity suggests high risk.
- Complexity: Implied Medium/Low, as it requires an authenticated user but leads to full compromise.
- Attack Vector: Likely Local/Network via the authenticated application interface.
## Impact
- Confidentiality: High (Full compromise can access sensitive data)
- Integrity: High (Full compromise allows modification of workflows and execution of system operations)
- Availability: High (Full compromise can lead to system downtime or manipulation)
## Remediation
### Patches
The vulnerability has been patched in the following versions:
- 1.120.4
- 1.121.1
- 1.122.0
### Workarounds
If immediate patching is not possible, users are advised to:
1. Limit workflow creation and editing permissions strictly to trusted users.
2. Deploy n8n in a hardened environment with restricted operating system privileges and limited network access.
## Detection
- **Indicators of Compromise (IOCs):** Not specified in the context, but would involve unusual process execution originating from the n8n process, unauthorized file/data access, or unexpected workflow modifications.
- **Detection Methods and Tools:** Monitoring for abnormal execution paths or system calls originating from the n8n application runtime context. Reviewing access logs for suspicious configuration or expression submissions from non-trusted authenticated users.
## References
- Vendor Advisory (GitHub): https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-v98v-ff95-f3cp
- CVE Lookup: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68613
- Censys Advisory: https://censys.com/advisory/cve-2025-68613