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Mallory
Critical

Arbitrary File Write in n8n Merge Node SQL Query Mode

IdentifiersCVE-2026-25056CWE-434· Unrestricted Upload of File with…

CVE-2026-25056 is a vulnerability in n8n, the open-source workflow automation platform, affecting the Merge node when used in SQL Query mode. In n8n versions prior to 1.118.0 and 2.4.0, an authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows can abuse this functionality to write arbitrary files to the filesystem of the server running n8n. The available advisory information identifies the issue as an arbitrary file write condition in the Merge node’s SQL Query mode. Because the attacker can place files on the host filesystem in attacker-controlled locations, the issue can potentially be escalated to remote code execution depending on deployment specifics and writable target paths.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

Successful exploitation allows a low-privileged authenticated workflow editor to write arbitrary files to the n8n server filesystem. This can compromise integrity of application or system files, enable placement of malicious scripts or configuration files, and may lead to full remote code execution if the written file is later executed, loaded, or interpreted by n8n or the underlying host environment. The CVSS context provided indicates high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

If immediate patching is not possible, restrict workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users only. Disable or tightly restrict use of the Merge node, especially SQL Query mode, if it is not operationally required. Review existing workflows for suspicious or unauthorized use of the Merge node in SQL Query mode and monitor the n8n host for unexpected file creation. These measures reduce exposure but do not eliminate the underlying vulnerability.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Upgrade n8n to a fixed release. The issue is patched in n8n 1.118.0 and 2.4.0. Deployments running versions earlier than 1.118.0 on the 1.x branch or earlier than 2.4.0 on the 2.x branch should be updated immediately.
PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

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VendorProductType
N8nN8napplication

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What this page doesn’t show

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Exposure mapping

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Threat actor evidence

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Associated malware

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Detection signatures

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Vendor-by-vendor mapping

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Social activity5

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