n8n: Regular Expression Denial of Service in the Default Blocked-File-Pattern Match via a Git Node Clone Path
Impact
The Git node's clone operation matched the destination path against the default N8N_BLOCK_FILE_PATTERNS expression, which was written so that a crafted path caused catastrophic backtracking. Evaluation runs synchronously in the main n8n process, so an authenticated user could freeze the instance for everyone with a single workflow execution and no unusual configuration. The patch rewrites the pattern so that matching is linear in the length of the path.
Patches
The issue has been fixed in n8n versions 1.123.76, 2.37.7, and 2.38.2. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate the vulnerability.
Workarounds
If upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations:
- Restrict n8n instance access to fully trusted users only.
- Disable the Git node by adding
n8n-nodes-base.gitto theNODES_EXCLUDEenvironment variable. - Set
N8N_BLOCK_FILE_PATTERNSto a backtracking-safe equivalent pattern to replace the vulnerable default.
These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| npm package | n8n | < 1.123.76, >= 2.38.0, < 2.38.2, >= 2.0.0, < 2.37.7 | 1.123.76, 2.38.2, 2.37.7 |
References
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/security/advisories/GHSA-j535-v25q-vx3q
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-86081
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@1.123.76
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.37.7
- https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n/releases/tag/n8n@2.38.2
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-1333- Platform
- npm
- Package
n8n- Disclosed
- 10.09.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-j535-v25q-vx3q - 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: Regular Expression Denial of Service in the Default Blocked-File-Pattern Match via a Git Node Clone Path this entry
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