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CVE-2026-43998

vm2: NodeVM require.root bypass via symlink traversal allows sandbox escape

Published: May 13, 2026Updated: May 14, 2026 Sources: CVE List NVD BDUCWE-59
NVD MITRE
8.5CVSSHIGH
EPSS Score
0.6%
Top 54.8%
CISA KEV
Not in KEV
Exploits
No Known Exploits
Remediation
Patch Available

Description

vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In 3.10.5, NodeVM's require.root path restriction can be bypassed using filesystem symlinks, allowing sandboxed code to load modules from outside the allowed root directory in host context. Because path validation uses path.resolve() (which does not dereference symlinks) but module loading uses Node's native require() (which does), an attacker can load arbitrary host-realm modules and achieve remote code execution. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.0.

CVSS Vector Breakdown

AV:NAC:HPR:LUI:NS:CC:HI:HA:H
Exploitability
AV:NAttack Vector
Network
AC:HAttack Complexity
High
PR:LPrivileges Required
Low
UI:NUser Interaction
None
Scope
S:CScope
Changed
Impact
C:HConfidentiality
High
I:HIntegrity
High
A:HAvailability
High
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Weaknesses

CWE-59

Affected Products

vm2vm2 project
Library
OSS Libraries / npm
vm2Node.js FoundationOSS Libraries
vm2patriksimek
Library
OSS Libraries / npm
vm2 projectoss-projectOSS Librariesaka vm2
node.js foundationoss-projectUSOSS Librariesaka nodejs foundation, node foundation
patriksimekoss-projectOSS Libraries

Attack Graph

Products CVE Techniques Tactics

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Exploitability

Official Patch Available
Workaround Available

MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques
Collection
Discovery
View detailed technique mapping

References

https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-cp6g-6699-wx9c
github.com

Timeline

Published
May 13, 2026
Last Updated
May 14, 2026

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