Vulnerability Description
n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expression engine. An authenticated user with credential create or update permissions but without the externalSecret:list scope can embed external secret references into credentials in forms the static validation does not detect; these references resolve at workflow execution time, exposing secret values the user is not authorized to access. This issue only affects instances where an external secrets provider is configured and Advanced Permissions are in use.
CVSS Score
MEDIUM
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| N8N | N8N | < 1.123.61 |
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-jp7m-xcgx-57qmVendor Advisory
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/n8n-permission-bypass-via-expression-parserThird Party Advisory
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-59259?
CVE-2026-59259 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 6.5 (MEDIUM). n8n before versions 1.123.61, 2.27.4, and 2.28.1 contains a permission bypass vulnerability in external secrets handling caused by a mismatch between the static validation check and the runtime expres...
How severe is CVE-2026-59259?
CVE-2026-59259 has been rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 6.5/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-59259?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Affected products include: N8N N8N.