---
id: "CVE-2026-118646"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-118646"]
title: "n8n: crafted glob pattern lets a workflow member freeze the server"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.1
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "ai-tooling"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["ai-tooling", "n8n", "self-hosted", "workflow-automation"]
not_affected_if: ["patched-version", "workflow-authors-trusted"]
published_at: "2026-10-28T19:17:32+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-28T19:34:55+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-28T19:36:05+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118646", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-28T19:34:55+00:00"}]
---

# n8n: crafted glob pattern lets a workflow member freeze the server

n8n contains a regular expression denial of service flaw in its File(s) Selector glob handling. An authenticated member who can create and run workflows can submit a wildcard-heavy pattern that triggers exponential backtracking and blocks the event loop, making the UI, API, webhooks and health checks unresponsive until restart.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the installed n8n version with `n8n --version` or the image tag in your deployment and compare against the fixed releases below.
- Review which users hold workflow create and run permissions in your n8n instance.

## Fix

- Upgrade n8n to `1.123.85` on the 1.x line, `2.43.5` on the 2.43 line, or `2.44.1` on the 2.44 line.

## Timeline

- 2026-10-28T19:34:55+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-118646

## From the sources

n8n before 1.123.85, 2.43.5, and 2.44.1 contains a regular expression denial of service vulnerability that allows authenticated members to block the event loop via crafted glob patterns. Attackers who can create and run workflows can submit a wildcard-heavy File(s) Selector pattern causing exponential backtracking, making the UI, API, webhooks, and health checks unresponsive until restart.

---

_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_