GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q
HIGHSelf-hosted n8n has Legacy Code node that enables arbitrary file read/write
EPSS Exploitation Probability
EPSS (Exploit Prediction Scoring System) is a daily probability model maintained by FIRST.org. It estimates the likelihood a CVE will be exploited in production environments within the next 30 days, derived from real-world threat intelligence signals.
Blast Radius
Weekly download volume for affected packages — a proxy for how broadly this vulnerability is deployed.
n8nnpmDescription
Impact
In 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.
This allows a workflow editor to perform actions on the n8n host with the same privileges as the n8n process, including:
- Reading files from the host filesystem (subject to any file-access restrictions configured on the instance and OS/container permissions)
- Writing files to the host filesystem (subject to the same restrictions)
Starting 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.
Patches
- Upgrade to n8n version 2.0.0 or later, where task runners are enabled by default for Code node execution.
- On n8n version 1.71.0 and above, enable task runners by setting
N8N_RUNNERS_ENABLED=true.
Workarounds
If you cannot immediately migrate to task runners:
- Limit file operations by setting
N8N_RESTRICT_FILE_ACCESS_TOto a dedicated directory (e.g.,~/.n8n-files) and ensure it contains no sensitive data. - Keep
N8N_BLOCK_FILE_ACCESS_TO_N8N_FILES=true(default) to block access to.n8nand user-defined config files. - If workflow editors are not fully trusted, consider disabling high-risk nodes (including the Code node) using
NODES_EXCLUDE.
Resources
- n8n Docs: Task runners
- n8n Docs: Task runner environment variables
- n8n Docs: Security environment variables
- n8n Docs: v2.0 breaking changes
Affected Packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Vulnerable range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📦npm | n8n | ≥ 1.2.1&&< 2.0.0 | 2.0.0 |
Detection & mitigation playbook
Open-source dependencyDetect
Scan your dependency tree (package-lock.json, pnpm-lock.yaml, requirements.txt, go.sum, etc.) for n8n. O3's reachability analysis confirms whether the vulnerable code path is actually invoked in your application, so you act on real exposure instead of every transitive match.
Fix
Update n8n to 2.0.0 or later, then make sure no transitive (indirect) dependency still pins the vulnerable range — O3 confirms GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q is resolved across your whole dependency graph.
Workarounds
If you can't upgrade right away: gate or disable the affected feature, validate untrusted input at the boundary, and avoid passing attacker-controlled data into the vulnerable path. O3's runtime protection blocks exploitation in production as an interim safeguard until the upgrade lands.
How O3 protects you
O3 pinpoints whether GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q is reachable in your code and exactly where to fix it, then blocks exploitation in production at runtime until the patched version is deployed.
Tailored to GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q. Runtime protection reduces exposure until a permanent patch is applied and verified — it complements patching, it doesn't replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q in your dependencies?
O3 detects GHSA-j4p8-h8mh-rh8q across npm dependencies and uses function-level reachability to confirm whether the vulnerable code path is actually reachable — not just present. No false positives.