CISA Flags Actively Exploited n8n RCE Bug as 24,700 Instances Remain Exposed

n8n, an open source workflow automation platform, contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability (CVE-2025-68613, CWE-913) in its workflow expression evaluation system, affecting versions starting at 0.211.0 and prior to 1.120.4, 1.121.1, and 1.122.0. The flaw is triggered when expressions supplied by authenticated users during workflow configuration are evaluated in an execution context that is not sufficiently isolated from the underlying runtime, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the n8n process. Successful exploitation can result in full compromise of the affected instance, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of workflows, and execution of system-level operations. Any self-hosted or cloud n8n deployment running an affected version is exposed, with public scans indicating roughly 24,700 instances remain exposed on the internet. The flaw was added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-03-11, EPSS places the 30-day exploitation probability at 99.1% (100th percentile), and Akamai has documented a ZeroBot malware campaign targeting n8n instances.

Do: Upgrade immediately to n8n 1.120.4, 1.121.1, or 1.122.0 (or later), as the flaw is in CISA KEV and actively exploited by the ZeroBot malware campaign documented by Akamai. If immediate upgrade is not possible, restrict workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users and run n8n in a hardened environment with restricted OS privileges and network access, keeping in mind these mitigations do not fully eliminate the risk. Review instances for signs of compromise, including unexpected workflow changes and suspicious process activity, and apply BOD 22-01 requirements if the product is used in federal cloud services.

n8n is an open source workflow automation platform. Prior to versions 2.10.1, 2.9.3, and 1.123.22, additional exploits in the expression evaluation of n8n have been identified and patched following CVE-2025-68613. An authenticated user with permission to create or modify workflows could abuse crafted expressions in workflow parameters to trigger unintended system command execution on the host running n8n. The issues have been fixed in n8n versions 2.10.1, 2.9.3, and 1.123.22. Users should upgrade to one of these versions or later to remediate all known vulnerabilities. If upgrading is not immediately possible, administrators should consider the following temporary mitigations. Limit workflow creation and editing permissions to fully trusted users only, and/or deploy n8n in a hardened environment with restricted operating system privileges and network access to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. These workarounds do not fully remediate the risk and should only be used as short-term mitigation measures.