n8n: Improper Authorization Allows Authenticated Users to Assign Workflows to Folders in Other Projects
Impact
An authenticated user with permission to create workflows in one project could bypass project/folder authorization boundaries during workflow creation. By supplying a crafted request payload, the user could associate a newly created workflow with a folder belonging to a different project they do not have access to.
The workflow itself remains in the attacker's project and is not visible to the target project's members. The target project's folder ownership is not changed, and no data from the target project is exposed. The impact is limited to a logical integrity violation of the target project's folder structure at the database level.
This issue affects instances with multi-project and folder support enabled.
Patches
The issue has been fixed in n8n version 2.28.0. Users should upgrade to this version or later to remediate the vulnerability.
Workarounds
If upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations:
- Restrict project membership and workflow creation permissions to fully trusted users only.
This workaround does not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as a short-term mitigation measure.
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | n8n | < 2.28.0 | 2.28.0 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-639- Platform
- npm
- Package
n8n- Disclosed
- 22.07.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-2xgm-wc4g-5jvg - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: n8n
All published vulnerabilities of this package (npm package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 156
- First → latest
- 05.2023 09.2026
- Without a fix
- 1
- Exploited in attacks
- 1
Severity breakdown
- Critical 24
- High 58
- Medium 74
Disclosures per year
- 2023: 3
- 2024: 0
- 2025: 14
- 2026: 139
-
n8n: Improper Authorization Allows Authenticated Users to Assign Workflows to Folders in Other Projects this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.