n8n: Agent Workflow Tool Bypasses Sub-Workflow Caller Policy
- Product
- n8n
- CVE
- CVE-2026-86996
- Affected
- n8n < 2.37.7 and >= 2.38.0, < 2.38.2
- Fixed in
- 2.37.7
Last verified against sources: October 26, 2026
Am I affected?
n8n: affected n8n < 2.37.7 and >= 2.38.0, < 2.38.2. Fixed in 2.37.7.
- Check your version: run
npm ls n8n. Versions >= 2.38.0, < 2.38.2 of n8n are affected. [1]
What to do now
- Upgrade to the fixed version: run
npm install n8n@2.38.2(first patched version 2.38.2). [1] - Upgrade to n8n 2.37.7 or 2.38.2 or later. [1]
- Restrict n8n instance access to fully trusted users only. [1]
- Audit workflows attached as Agent tools and review their caller policy settings. [1]
- Remove sensitive workflows from Agent tool configurations until the instance is patched. [1]
General practice, not from the source: if the affected software could read tokens or credentials, rotate them after upgrading; pin versions and review changes before updating tools your agents run.
What happened
- A workflow's "_This workflow can be called by_" setting was enforced by the Execute Workflow node but was not consulted when the same workflow was attached to an Agent as a tool. [1]
Impact
- A user who could build an Agent could therefore call a workflow that its owner had restricted, and read back what it returned. [1]
What was done
Sources
- GHSA-7hgx-277f-7vmg — GitHub Advisory Database
Every statement above was checked against these sources before publishing. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it with a dated note.
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[CVE-2026-86996] n8n: Agent Workflow Tool Bypasses Sub-Workflow Caller Policy
Product: n8n | Affected: n8n < 2.37.7 and >= 2.38.0, < 2.38.2 | Fixed in: 2.37.7
Summary: A workflow's "_This workflow can be called by_" setting was enforced by the Execute Workflow node but was not consulted when the same workflow was attached to an Agent as a tool.
Source & remediation on AgentArmorHQ: https://agentarmorhq.com/incidents/2026/09/cve-2026-86996-n8nCorrections
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