Is this vulnerability remotely exploitable over the internet?

Yes, but with limitations. An attacker must first obtain valid credentials and the ability to create or modify workflows in the n8n instance. Once authenticated, they can exploit the vulnerable Merge node behavior through the web UI or API.

What level of access does an attacker need to exploit this issue?

The attacker must be an authenticated user with permission to define or update workflows that are executed by the n8n server. They do not need direct shell access or direct filesystem access—only control over workflow logic that uses the Merge node in SQL Query mode.

What is the safest general fix pattern for this type of issue?

The most robust fix pattern is to prevent user-controlled workflows from performing unrestricted file writes. This includes strictly limiting which nodes can write to the filesystem, enforcing allowed directories and file types, and ensuring that user-configurable parameters cannot directly specify sensitive paths or executable locations.

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.8)

Unrestricted File Upload / Write (CWE-434) in n8n Merge Node SQL Query Mode

CVE-2026-25056

Published:

Feb 4, 2026

Status:

Analyzed

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

NDV

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CWE-306

CRITICAL RISK

CRITICAL

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Account Takeover / Loss of Account Control

February 17, 2026

CWE-77;CWE-78

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(7.3)

OS Command Injection (CWE-78) in node-sonos-http-api TTS Provider for macOS

Remote Code Execution on the Server Host

February 17, 2026

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Unrestricted File Upload / Arbitrary File Write

CWE:

CWE-434;CWE-693

Impact:

Authenticated Remote Code Execution via Arbitrary File Write

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.8)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Unrestricted File Upload / Arbitrary File Write

CWE:

CWE-434;CWE-693

Impact:

Authenticated Remote Code Execution via Arbitrary File Write

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.8)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

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Made with Love in San Francisco

355 Bryant St. San Francisco, CA 94107, USA

Ask AI for summary of CodeAnt

Unrestricted File Upload / Write (CWE-434) in n8n Merge Node SQL Query Mode

Summary

Affected Context

Exploit Preconditions

Why This Happens

Potential Impact

General Mitigation Guidance

How Teams Detect Issues Like This

Frequently Asked Questions

Source

Recent Vulnerabilities

CRITICAL RISK

CRITICAL

(9.8)

Missing Authentication for Forgot-Password Email Change API (CWE-306)

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(7.3)

OS Command Injection (CWE-78) in node-sonos-http-api TTS Provider for macOS

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Ship clean & secure code faster

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