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CVE Record

CVE-2026-43998: vm2: NodeVM require.root bypass via symlink traversal allows sandbox escape

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.

HighCVSS 8.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-43998 lets sandboxed JavaScript escape an intended file-root boundary in vm2 NodeVM 3.10.5. A symlink handling mismatch can allow code to load host-side modules outside the allowed root, creating a path to remote code execution. The cited fix is vm2 3.11.0.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority dependency remediation where vm2 is used to isolate untrusted code. The business risk is sandbox failure leading to host-code execution. Prioritize internet-facing, multi-tenant, or customer-script execution services first.

Technical view

NodeVM validates require.root paths with path.resolve(), which does not dereference symlinks, while Node's native require() does. In vm2 3.10.5 this mismatch can bypass the root restriction and load host-realm modules. The issue is classified as CWE-59 with CVSS 8.5.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in applications that run untrusted or tenant-controlled JavaScript through vm2 3.10.5 NodeVM with require.root restrictions. Common risk areas include plugin execution, code runners, automation, and SaaS customization. The source bundle only identifies vm2 3.10.5 as affected.

Exploitation context

The supplied sources describe a sandbox escape condition, not confirmed exploitation in the wild. KEV is false, and no cited source states active exploitation. CVSS indicates network reachability, low privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, high impact, and high attack complexity.

Researcher notes

The key issue is inconsistent symlink treatment between path validation and module loading. Focus validation on vm2 3.10.5 NodeVM require.root usage and trust boundaries. Do not assume broader version impact beyond the cited affected version without vendor confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade affected vm2 installations from 3.10.5 to 3.11.0.
  • Identify dependency paths that introduce vm2 3.10.5 transitively.
  • Avoid running untrusted JavaScript in affected NodeVM configurations until upgraded.
  • Check vendor advisories and Red Hat VEX data for environment-specific status.

Validation and detection

  • Review SBOMs and lockfiles for patriksimek/vm2 version 3.10.5.
  • Confirm production builds resolve vm2 to 3.11.0 or later.
  • Inventory code paths using NodeVM and require.root restrictions.
  • Review sandbox-host module boundaries for symlink-accessible paths.
  • Track Red Hat advisory status if consuming vm2 through Red Hat channels.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-59: Exact CWE lookup

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description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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description · low confidence lookup

Privilege behavior lookup

The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-43998 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

2CVSS vectors
5Timeline events
2ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: pocAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H1.86GitHub_M
8.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H1.86redhat-SADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2026-43998Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Made public.

  3. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  4. ADP timelineredhat-SADP

    Reported to Red Hat.

  5. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
redhat-SADPvm2: vm2: Remote code execution due to path restriction bypass via symlinks
other:Red Hat severity ratingcvssV3_1
  • 2026-05-13T18:02:11.809Z: Reported to Red Hat.
  • 2026-05-13T17:19:44.406Z: Made public.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
patriksimekvm23.10.5Listed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-59

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-59 · source CWE mapping

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')

Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

Open CWE intelligenceSame-CWE CVEs