How exploitable is this vulnerability in practice?

Exploitation is feasible where users can define or change workflows with a Python Code Node and the Python Task Runner is enabled; within that context, a malicious or compromised user account can reliably achieve code execution on the task runner.

Does an attacker need network access or can this be done purely through the UI?

The attack can typically be carried out through the n8n user interface or API by an authenticated user who can create or modify workflows using the Python Code Node; no direct network access to the task runner host is required beyond what n8n itself provides.

What is the safest general fix pattern?

The safest general pattern is to harden or redesign the execution model so that user-supplied code cannot escape its sandbox, combined with strict least-privilege for task runner processes and strong role-based restrictions around who may use arbitrary code nodes.

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.8)

Code Injection via Python Code Node Sandbox Escape (CWE-94) in n8n Python Task Runner

CVE-2026-42234

Published:

May 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

Recent Vulnerabilities

CWE-918

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.6)

Server-Side Request Forgery (CWE-918) in OpenClaw Zalo Plugin sendPhoto

Unauthorized Access to Internal Resources via SSRF

May 6, 2026

CWE-863

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

Authorization Bypass (CWE-863) in OpenClaw Matrix Room Control Commands

Privilege Escalation via Bypassed Access Control

May 6, 2026

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Code Injection

CWE:

CWE-94

Impact:

Remote Code Execution within Task Runner Environment

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.8)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Vulnerability Type

Category:

Code Injection

CWE:

CWE-94

Impact:

Remote Code Execution within Task Runner Environment

Severity:

HIGH RISK

(8.8)

CVSS Version:

3.1

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Detect vulnerable code directly in pull requests, so CVEs are fixed before merge.

Get Started

Ship clean & secure code faster

Start Free Trial

Get Pentest Report

Ship clean & secure code faster

Start Free Trial

Get Pentest Report

Ship clean & secure code faster

Start Free Trial

Get Pentest Report

CodeAnt AI is an offensive and defensive security platform.

Defensive + offensive security.

From first line of code to a pentest
that knows every line of it.

SOC 2 Type II certified | CodeAnt AI is independently audited and compliant with SOC 2 Type II security standards

Ask AI for summary of CodeAnt

Defensive + offensive security.

From first line of code to a pentest
that knows every line of it.

Ask AI for summary of CodeAnt

Defensive + offensive security.

From first line of code to a pentest
that knows every line of it.

Ask AI for summary of CodeAnt

Code Injection via Python Code Node Sandbox Escape (CWE-94) in n8n Python Task Runner

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

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.6)

Server-Side Request Forgery (CWE-918) in OpenClaw Zalo Plugin sendPhoto

HIGH RISK

HIGH

(8.8)

Authorization Bypass (CWE-863) in OpenClaw Matrix Room Control Commands

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Vulnerability Type

Catch This CVE While Code Is Being Written

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

Ship clean & secure code faster

Product

Compare

Company

Developers

Legal

Product

Compare

Company

Developers

Legal

Product

Compare

Company

Developers

Legal