Vulnerability · Published May 13, 2026 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2026-44007vm2: nesting: true bypasses require: false, allowing sandbox escape to arbitrary OS command execution

Critical 9.1

In plain English

A critical-severity improper access control in vm2 from patriksimek. Proof-of-concept exploit code is public. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 1.0% (higher than 63% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)9.1Critical
Exploit odds (30 days)1.0%top 36.9% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: poc
Attack toolingNoneno public tooling known

Official description

vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to 3.11.1, when a NodeVM is created with nesting: true, sandbox code can unconditionally require('vm2') regardless of the outer VM's require configuration — including require: false. With access to vm2, the sandbox constructs a new inner NodeVM with its own unrestricted require settings and executes arbitrary OS commands on the host. Any application that runs untrusted code inside a NodeVM with nesting: true is fully compromised. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.1.

Affected packages & fixed versions

EcosystemPackageFixed inAdvisory
npmvm23.11.1GHSA-8hg8-63c5-gwmx

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
patriksimek vm2 < 3.11.1

Weakness: CWE-284, CWE-1100 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

References