{"id":"CVE-2025-68697","aliases":["GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q"],"url":"https://o3.security/vulnerability/CVE-2025-68697","summary":"Self-hosted n8n has Legacy Code node that enables arbitrary file read/write","details":"### Impact\n\nIn self-hosted n8n instances where the Code node runs in legacy (non-task-runner) JavaScript execution mode, authenticated users with workflow editing access can invoke internal helper functions from within the Code node.\n\nThis allows a workflow editor to perform actions on the n8n host with the same privileges as the n8n process, including:\n\n- Reading files from the host filesystem (subject to any file-access restrictions configured on the instance and OS/container permissions)\n- Writing files to the host filesystem (subject to the same restrictions)\n\nStarting with n8n version 1.2.1, access to files in the n8n home directory (`.n8n`) is blocked by default. However, this does not restrict access to other parts of the filesystem unless additional file access limitations are configured.\n\n### Patches\n\n- Upgrade to **n8n version 2.0.0 or later**, where task runners are enabled by default for Code node execution.\n- On **n8n version 1.71.0 and above**, enable task runners by setting `N8N_RUNNERS_ENABLED=true`.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nIf you cannot immediately migrate to task runners:\n\n- Limit file operations by setting `N8N_RESTRICT_FILE_ACCESS_TO` to a dedicated directory (e.g., `~/.n8n-files`) and ensure it contains no sensitive data.\n- Keep `N8N_BLOCK_FILE_ACCESS_TO_N8N_FILES=true` (default) to block access to `.n8n` and user-defined config files.\n- If workflow editors are not fully trusted, consider disabling high-risk nodes (including the Code node) using `NODES_EXCLUDE`.\n\n### Resources\n\n- n8n Docs: [Task runners](https://docs.n8n.io/hosting/configuration/task-runners/)\n- n8n Docs: [Task runner environment variables](https://docs.n8n.io/hosting/configuration/environment-variables/task-runners/)\n- n8n Docs: [Security environment variables](https://docs.n8n.io/hosting/configuration/environment-variables/security/#security-environment-variables)\n- n8n Docs: [v2.0 breaking changes](https://docs.n8n.io/2-0-breaking-changes/#enable-task-runners-by-default)","published":"2025-12-26T21:51:12.216Z","modified":"2026-10-28T02:31:09.655068061Z","cvss":{"score":7.1,"severity":"HIGH","vector":"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:N"},"epss":null,"cisaKev":null,"exploitsKnown":0,"affectedPackages":[{"ecosystem":"npm","name":"n8n","fixedVersion":"2.0.0"}],"fix":null,"references":[{"type":"ADVISORY","url":"https://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2025/68xxx/CVE-2025-68697.json"},{"type":"ADVISORY","url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q"},{"type":"ADVISORY","url":"https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68697"},{"type":"PACKAGE","url":"https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n"}],"provenance":{"sources":["OSV.dev","FIRST.org (EPSS)"],"lastVerified":"2026-10-28T02:31:09.655068061Z"}}