CVE-2026-85057: ZITADEL: Actions V1 sandbox escape: host file read via require()
Summary
A vulnerability in ZITADEL Actions V1 allows an organization Action author to read files from the ZITADEL host filesystem through the JavaScript require() module loader. On common self-hosted deployments this can be chained to steal bootstrap credentials (including the Login Client PAT) and escalate from a single-tenant organization owner to instance administrator.
Impact
ZITADEL Actions V1 run custom JavaScript inside the ZITADEL server process at OIDC, SAML, and login-flow trigger points. The runtime enables the goja Node-compatible require() registry without restricting the source loader, so Action scripts can load host files readable by the ZITADEL process (notably .js and .json, and in some cases other file contents via error channels).
An attacker with ORGOWNER on any organization (which includes org.action.write and org.flow.write) can therefore:
Read process-readable host files, including configuration or secrets mounted into the API container (for example service-account material, projected secrets, or config carrying sensitive values). On deployments that follow ZITADEL’s documented bootstrap paths (ZITADELFIRSTINSTANCELOGINCLIENTPATPATH, ZITADELFIRSTINSTANCEMACHINEKEYPATH), recover instance-wide credentials such as the IAMLOGINCLIENT PAT or the IAMOWNER service-account key, enabling escalation to full instance control.
This collapses the expected multi-tenant isolation boundary: a tenant organization administrator is not meant to access host filesystem secrets or instance-wide credentials.
Scope note: This issue affects Actions V1. Host command execution was not identified as part of this vulnerability. Impact depends on what the ZITADEL process can read on disk and on deployment layout — documented Compose and quick-start setups that write bootstrap PATs or machine keys into the API container amplify severity.
Affected Versions
Systems running one of the following versions are affected:
4.x: 4.0.0 through 4.16.0 (including RC versions) 3.x: 3.0.0 through 3.4.12 (including RC versions)
Patches
The vulnerability has been addressed in the latest releases. The patch disables filesystem-backed module loading for Action scripts so that only the intended native zitadel/ modules can be required.
4.x: Upgrade to $\ge$ 4.16.1 3.x: Upgrade to $\ge$ 3.4.13
Workarounds
If an immediate upgrade is not possible:
Restrict who can create, update, or attach Actions — do not grant org.action.write / org.flow.write (or ORGOWNER) to untrusted administrators in multi-tenant environments. Audit existing Actions for require() of filesystem paths. Remove or relocate bootstrap credential files (login-client.pat, machine keys) so they are not readable inside the API process filesystem. Limit host filesystem exposure for the ZITADEL process (no unnecessary readable secrets beside the binary).
Questions
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory, please email us at security@zitadel.com
Credits
Thanks to Dor Konis (@dkonis) and Feras Daragma (@FerasTr) from GE Vernova, and to pyuysig, for finding and reporting this vulnerability.
Other sources
ZITADEL is an open source identity management platform. From 3.0.0 until 3.4.13 and 4.16.1, ZITADEL Actions V1 enables the goja Node-compatible require() registry without restricting its filesystem source loader. An organization Action author with ORGOWNER, org.action.write, and org.flow.write permissions can run JavaScript at OIDC, SAML, and login-flow trigger points and load files readable by the ZITADEL server process. This can disclose mounted configuration and secrets, including credentials stored through ZITADELFIRSTINSTANCELOGINCLIENTPATPATH or ZITADELFIRSTINSTANCEMACHINEKEYPATH, and recovered bootstrap credentials can enable escalation from an organization administrator to an instance administrator. The issue affects Actions V1, and host command execution is not established. This issue is fixed in versions 3.4.13 and 4.16.1.
— MITRE
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
go/github.com/zitadel/zitadelto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 1.80.0-v2.20.0.20260717062331-baf6ed501b68 - Upgrade
Upgrade
ZITADELto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 3.4.13 - Upgrade
Upgrade
ZITADELto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 4.16.1 - Compensating control
Audit existing Actions V1 for require() calls that reference filesystem paths.
- Compensating control
Limit host filesystem exposure for the ZITADEL process; do not provide unnecessary readable secrets beside the binary.
- Compensating control
Restrict who can create, update, or attach Actions; do not grant org.action.write, org.flow.write, or ORG_OWNER to untrusted administrators in multi-tenant environments.
- Operational
Remove or relocate bootstrap credential files, including login-client.pat and machine keys, so they are not readable inside the API process filesystem.
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can exploit this issue?
An organization Action author must have ORG_OWNER, org.action.write, and org.flow.write permissions. They can execute a malicious Actions V1 JavaScript action through OIDC, SAML, or login-flow trigger points.
What can an attacker access, and can they execute commands on the host?
The attacker can load files readable by the ZITADEL server process, potentially exposing mounted configuration, secrets, and bootstrap credentials. Host command execution has not been established.
How could this lead to broader privilege escalation?
Files referenced by ZITADEL_FIRSTINSTANCE_LOGINCLIENTPATPATH or ZITADEL_FIRSTINSTANCE_MACHINEKEYPATH may contain credentials. Recovered bootstrap credentials can allow escalation from an organization administrator to an instance administrator.
Which deployments should be remediated?
Deployments using Actions V1 in versions from 3.0.0 through 3.4.13, and version 4.16.1, are affected. Update to the fixed 3.4.13 or 4.16.1 release as applicable.