CVE-2026-118677: n8n before 2.41.4 and 2.42.1 Local Gateway Deep-Link Silent Re-pairing to Attacker Instance
n8n before 2.41.4 and 2.42.x before 2.42.1 contains a missing confirmation vulnerability in the Local Gateway desktop app that allows its deep-link connect handler to silently re-pair the app with a different n8n instance. Attackers can lure users running the Local Gateway into opening a crafted n8n-computer-use:// link to connect their computer to an attacker-controlled instance, inheriting previously granted permissions and acting on the computer through the gateway.
Affected Software
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is exposed to this issue?
Users running the n8n Local Gateway desktop app are exposed if they use a version before 2.41.4, or a 2.42.x version before 2.42.1. Exploitation requires the user to open a crafted n8n-computer-use:// deep link.
What does an attacker need to exploit it?
An attacker needs to lure a Local Gateway user into opening a crafted deep link that points the gateway at an attacker-controlled n8n instance. No prior privileges are required, but user interaction is required.
What is the impact after a successful re-pairing?
The Local Gateway can be silently paired with the attacker-controlled instance while retaining previously granted permissions. The attacker-controlled instance can then act on the user's computer through the gateway using those inherited permissions.
What should be done if updates cannot be applied immediately?
Do not open n8n-computer-use:// links from untrusted or unexpected sources. Treat any request or link that connects or reconfigures the Local Gateway as untrusted until the affected version can be updated.