CVE-2026-21858

CRITICAL EXPLOITED NUCLEI LAB

n8n 1.65.0-1.120.9 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Read via Form-Based Workflow Execution

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2026-21858 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 22 public exploits from researchers including Chocapikk, XiaomingX, adminlove520, including a Metasploit module auxiliary/gather/ni8mare_cve_2026_21858. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a fully automated Python exploit for CVE-2026-21858 and CVE-2025-68613, chaining unauthenticated arbitrary file read, admin token forgery, and sandbox bypass to achieve remote code execution on n8n instances. The exploit leverages Content-Type confusion for file read and expression injection for RCE.

Description

n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Versions starting with 1.65.0 and below 1.121.0 enable an attacker to access files on the underlying server through execution of certain form-based workflows. A vulnerable workflow could grant access to an unauthenticated remote attacker, resulting in exposure of sensitive information stored on the system and may enable further compromise depending on deployment configuration and workflow usage. This issue is fixed in version 1.121.0.

Exploits (22)

nomisec WORKING POC 244 stars
by Chocapikk · remote
https://github.com/Chocapikk/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a fully automated Python exploit for CVE-2026-21858 and CVE-2025-68613, chaining unauthenticated arbitrary file read, admin token forgery, and sandbox bypass to achieve remote code execution on n8n instances. The exploit leverages Content-Type confusion for file read and expression injection for RCE.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n <= 1.65.0 (AFR) / >= 0.211.0 (RCE)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have a form workflow with file upload and Respond to Webhook node · Workflow must be active and publicly accessible · Specific workflow configuration (file upload + binary response)
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WRITEUP 10 stars
by XiaomingX · pythonpoc
https://github.com/XiaomingX/data-cve-poc-py-v1/tree/main/2026/CVE-2026-21858

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2026-21858, a critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the n8n workflow automation platform. It includes root cause analysis, CVSS scoring, affected versions, and remediation steps.

Classification
Writeup 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n Workflow Automation (versions < 1.121.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to webhook/form endpoints
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 4 stars
by adminlove520 · pythonpoc
https://github.com/adminlove520/CVE-Poc_All_in_One/tree/main/2026/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2026-21858, targeting an n8n workflow automation vulnerability. The exploit fetches environment variables, extracts database credentials, forges JWT tokens, and executes arbitrary commands via a malicious workflow.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n workflow automation (version not specified)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: access to a vulnerable n8n instance · valid form URL
devstral-2 · analyzed May 09, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 3 stars
by SystemVll · poc
https://github.com/SystemVll/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a Python-based scanner for detecting CVE-2026-21858, a critical RCE vulnerability in n8n Workflow Automation Platform versions 1.65.0 to 1.120.x. The tool performs version fingerprinting by analyzing the `/signin` endpoint and does not include exploit code.

Classification
Scanner 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n Workflow Automation Platform < 1.121.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to target n8n instance · Python 3.12+ environment
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github SUSPICIOUS 2 stars
by exploitChains · pythonpoc
https://github.com/exploitChains/poc-collection/tree/main/CVE-2026-21858

The repository contains no actual exploit code or technical details, only a link to an external GitHub repository. This is indicative of a social engineering lure rather than a legitimate PoC.

Classification
Suspicious 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Theoretical
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: n8n (version unspecified)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: none specified
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by EQSTLab · remote
https://github.com/EQSTLab/CVE-2026-21858

This PoC exploits CVE-2026-21858 in n8n 1.120.4 by leveraging a Form Trigger workflow to extract sensitive assets (e.g., SECRET_KEY, admin credentials) and achieve remote code execution (RCE) via workflow manipulation.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n 1.120.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker environment with n8n 1.120.4 · Form Trigger workflow configured · Python 3.x for the exploit script
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by XZ1r0 · pythonpoc
https://github.com/XZ1r0/cve-2026-poc-collection/tree/main/web/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2026-21858, which chains an arbitrary file read vulnerability with a token forgery and sandbox bypass to achieve remote code execution (RCE) in n8n. The exploit includes a Docker setup for testing and demonstrates the full attack chain from unauthenticated file read to RCE.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n (version 1.65.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the target n8n instance · Form upload endpoint path
devstral-2 · analyzed May 21, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by Bannt08 · poc
https://github.com/Bannt08/Research-CVE-2026-21858

Technical analysis of CVE-2026-21858, detailing an authentication bypass and LFI vulnerability in n8n due to improper Content-Type handling, leading to RCE via workflow manipulation.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass | Info Leak | Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n versions 1.65.0 and earlier
No auth needed
Prerequisites: access to vulnerable n8n instance · ability to send crafted HTTP requests
devstral-2 · analyzed May 08, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by masterwok · remote
https://github.com/masterwok/PoC-CVE-2026-21858

This PoC exploits CVE-2026-21858 by leveraging arbitrary file read to extract environment variables and database credentials, then forging a JWT token to create and execute a malicious workflow for remote command execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n (version not specified)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: access to a vulnerable n8n instance · valid form URL
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 17, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by kaleth4 · infoleak
https://github.com/kaleth4/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a fully automated Python exploit for CVE-2026-21858 and CVE-2025-68613, chaining unauthenticated arbitrary file read with token forgery and expression injection to achieve RCE on n8n instances. The exploit leverages Content-Type confusion for file read and sandbox bypass via `this.process.mainModule.require`.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n (versions < 1.121.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Form with file upload field · Respond to Webhook node configured to return binary data · Workflow must be active and publicly accessible
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 09, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by 0xBlackash · poc
https://github.com/0xBlackash/CVE-2026-21858

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2026-21858, a critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in n8n workflow automation platform. It includes root cause analysis, CVSS scoring, affected versions, and remediation steps.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n Workflow Automation < 1.121.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to webhook/form endpoints
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 09, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by 0xAshwesker · poc
https://github.com/0xAshwesker/CVE-2026-21858

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2026-21858, a critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in n8n workflow automation platform. It includes root cause analysis, affected versions, exploitation details, and remediation steps.

Classification
Writeup 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n Workflow Automation (versions >= 1.65.0 and < 1.121.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to webhook/form endpoints · Network access to the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Mar 06, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by bamov970 · remote
https://github.com/bamov970/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a functional exploit for CVE-2026-21858 and CVE-2025-68613, demonstrating an unauthenticated RCE chain in n8n. The exploit leverages arbitrary file read via Content-Type confusion and expression injection for sandbox bypass.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n <= 1.65.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Form with file upload · Respond to Webhook node · Workflow active · Unauthenticated access
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 24, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by zaryouhashraf · poc
https://github.com/zaryouhashraf/CVE-2026-21858

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2026-21858, a critical unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in n8n workflow automation platform. It includes root cause analysis, CVSS scoring, affected versions, and remediation steps.

Classification
Writeup 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n Workflow Automation (versions < 1.121.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to webhook/form endpoints
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 23, 2026 Full analysis →
gitlab WRITEUP
by sastraadiwiguna-purpleeliteteaming · poc
https://gitlab.com/sastraadiwiguna-purpleeliteteaming/sastra-adi-wiguna-cve-2026-21858-holistic-audit

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2026-21858, a vulnerability in n8n involving Content-Type confusion leading to arbitrary file read and RCE. It includes a comprehensive attack chain breakdown but lacks functional exploit code.

Classification
Writeup 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: n8n (versions 1.65.0 to 1.121.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: exposed n8n instance · webhook endpoint with Form Webhook node
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 23, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Alhakim88 · remote
https://github.com/Alhakim88/CVE-2026-21858

This repository contains a fully automated Python exploit for CVE-2026-21858 and CVE-2025-68613, chaining unauthenticated arbitrary file read with token forgery and sandbox bypass to achieve remote code execution on n8n instances. The exploit is well-documented and includes detailed technical analysis of the vulnerabilities.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n <= 1.65.0 (AFR) / >= 0.211.0 (RCE)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have a form workflow with a file upload field · Workflow must return file content in HTTP response · Workflow must be active and publicly accessible
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by sec-dojo-com · remote
https://github.com/sec-dojo-com/CVE-2026-21858

This PoC exploits an unauthenticated RCE chain in n8n < 1.121.0 by leveraging CVE-2026-21858 for arbitrary file read to extract credentials and forge a JWT token, followed by CVE-2025-68613 for expression injection leading to command execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n < 1.121.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have an active workflow with a Form Trigger node and a Respond to Webhook node · Publicly accessible form endpoint
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by sastraadiwiguna-purpleeliteteaming · poc
https://github.com/sastraadiwiguna-purpleeliteteaming/SASTRA-ADI-WIGUNA-CVE-2026-21858-Holistic-Audit

This repository contains a detailed technical analysis and a working Python exploit for CVE-2026-21858, a critical vulnerability in n8n's Form Webhook node. The exploit leverages Content-Type confusion to achieve arbitrary file reads, session forgery, and ultimately RCE via the 'Execute Command' node.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n versions >=1.65.0 to <1.121.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker with vulnerable n8n image · Python 3 with requests, pyjwt, and cryptography libraries · Netcat or Burp Suite for shell capture
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER
by cropnet · poc
https://github.com/cropnet/Ni8mare

This repository contains a non-invasive scanner for detecting CVE-2026-21858, a critical vulnerability in n8n workflow automation software. The tool checks versions and scans live instances without exploiting the vulnerability.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n workflow automation software (versions < 1.121.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target n8n instance
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by bgarz929 · poc
https://github.com/bgarz929/Ashwesker-CVE-2026-21858

CVE-2026-21858 is a critical unauthenticated vulnerability in n8n workflow automation platform due to improper Content-Type header validation, enabling arbitrary file read, credential extraction, and potential RCE.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass | Info Leak | Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n (≤ 1.65.0)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to vulnerable n8n instance
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
vulncheck_xdb WRITEUP
remote
https://github.com/fevar54/POC_CVE-2025-29943_Write-what-where-Condition

This repository provides a detailed technical analysis of CVE-2025-29943, a hardware vulnerability in AMD processors affecting SEV-SNP virtual machines. It includes scripts for setup, build, and testing but lacks actual exploit code.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Complex
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: AMD EPYC processors (Zen 1-5)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Administrator privileges on the host · AMD Zen architecture CPU · SEV-SNP enabled VM
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 25, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit WORKING POC
by dor attias, msutovsky-r7 · rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/auxiliary/gather/ni8mare_cve_2026_21858.rb

This Metasploit module exploits CVE-2026-21858, a content-type confusion flaw in n8n's webhook handling, enabling unauthenticated arbitrary file read and session extraction. It leverages a crafted JSON payload to bypass authentication and read sensitive files.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: n8n workflow automation platform versions 1.65.0 through 1.120.x
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the target n8n instance
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

n8n Webhooks - Remote Code Execution
CRITICALVERIFIEDby rxerium
Shodan: http.favicon.hash:-831756631

References (2)

Core 2

Scores

CVSS v3 10.0
EPSS 0.7202
EPSS Percentile 99.4%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable yes
Technical Impact total

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2026-01-09
CWE
CWE-20
Status published
Products (2)
n8n/n8n 1.65.0 - 1.121.0
npm/n8n 1.65.0 - 1.121.0npm
Published Jan 08, 2026
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026