CVE-2026-42231 n8n: Prototype Pollution in XML Webhook Body Parser Leads to RCE
Authenticated users can achieve remote code execution on the n8n host by exploiting prototype pollution in the XML webhook parser.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-42231?
CVE-2026-42231 is a critical code injection vulnerability in N8n N8n, published on 4 May 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to versions 1.123.32, 2.17.4, and 2.18.1, a flaw in the xml2js library used to parse XML request bodies in n8n's webhook handler allowed prototype pollution via a crafted XML payload. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could exploit this to pollute the JavaScript object prototype and, by chaining the pollution with the Git node's SSH operations, achieve remote code execution on the n8n host. This issue has been patched in versions 1.123.32, 2.17.4, and 2.18.1.
Weakness: CWE-1321
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-42231?
6 open source packages ship an affected version, including n8n. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
n8n npm | All versions | 1.123.32 |
n8n npm | All versions | 1.123.32 |
n8n npm | From 2.17.0 | 2.17.4 |
n8n npm | From 2.17.0 | 2.17.4 |
n8n npm | From 2.18.0 | 2.18.1 |
n8n npm | From 2.18.0 | 2.18.1 |
Products include N8n N8n.
How do I fix CVE-2026-42231?
Upgrade n8n to a fixed version for your release line: 1.123.32, 2.17.4 or 2.18.1.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2026-42231 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-42231 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in N8n N8n
- CVE-2025-68613 n8n Improper Control of Dynamically-Managed Code Resources
- CVE-2026-21877 n8n is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution via Arbitrary File Write
- CVE-2026-21858 n8n Vulnerable to Unauthenticated File Access via Improper Webhook Request Handling
- CVE-2026-1470 n8n Unsafe Workflow Expression Evaluation Allows Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2025-68668 n8n Vulnerable to Arbitrary Command Execution in Pyodide based Python Code Node
Sources
Also known as GHSA-q5f4-99jv-pgg5.