---
id: CVE-2026-85166
title: >-
  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)
summary: >-
  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/up…
severity: medium
cvss: 6.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-863
vendor: n8n
product: n8n
affected:
  - n8n < 2.35.4
  - 'n8n >= 2.36.0, < 2.36.2'
patched:
  - n8n 2.36.2
published: '2026-09-03'
updated: '2026-09-10'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-10T19:54:12.750'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85166'
references:
  - url: 'https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-4r56-g65c-fm83'
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
  - url: >-
      https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-before-2.36.2-credential-exfiltration-via-workflow-tool-node
    label: disclosure@vulncheck.com
tags:
  - nvd
epss: 0.00209
epssPercentile: 0.11307
ingestedAt: '2026-09-08T21:11:12.290Z'
---

## Overview

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.

## Affected

- `n8n < 2.35.4`
- `n8n >= 2.36.0, < 2.36.2`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `n8n 2.36.2`