TI-2026-32041 Aliases CVE-2026-43998 GHSA-cp6g-6699-wx9c

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

HIGH 72CWE-59Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-09-07

Key facts

Attack vector: Network
Privileges required: Low
User interaction: None
Attack complexity: High
Impact type: —
Confidentiality · integrity · availability: High · High · High
Fix status: Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA, GitHub and Red Hat.

Summary

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.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV

EPSS 0.00722 54th percentileScored 2026-11-07

Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD

Fix Fixed vm2 (npm): 3.11.0Red Hat: 1 advisory

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation: Poc
Automatable: No
Technical impact: Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

Vendor	Product	Affected versions	Fixed in	Status	Source
patriksimek	vm2	3.10.5	—	No fix listed	CNA
—	vm2 (npm)	3.10.5 to before 3.11.0	3.11.0	Patch available	GHSA-cp6g-6699-wx9c

vm2 Vendorpatriksimek Affected 3.10.5 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
vm2 (npm) Vendor— Affected 3.10.5 to before 3.11.0 Fixed in 3.11.0 Patch available GHSA-cp6g-6699-wx9c

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPE	Versions	Role	Vendor
cpe:2.3:a:vm2_project:vm2:3.10.5:::::node.js::	3.10.5	Vulnerable	patriksimek

cpe:2.3:a:vm2_project:vm2:3.10.5:*:*:*:*:node.js:*:* Versions 3.10.5 Vulnerable ·patriksimek

Remediation

Fix · GHSA-cp6g-6699-wx9c vm2 (npm) Fixed in 3.11.0 Advisory →

Red Hat 1 advisory

RHSA-2026:50850 Released 2026-08-05 · Red Hat rating Important
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.1 security update
- Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.1 registry.redhat.io/ansible-automation-platform/automation-portal

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →

Product	Status	Plan or fix
Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.1	Fixed	RHSA-2026:50850

Not affected: 1 product

Red Hat Developer Hub 1

Timeline

2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-43998
2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-cp6g-6699-wx9c
2026-10-27 Affected versions changed · Red Hat

References

Exploit 1

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

Advisory 1

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-43998

Other 2

TI-2023-14382 Sandbox Escape in vm2 CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
TI-2023-13478 vm2 Sandbox Escape vulnerability CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
TI-2026-33200 vm2: Sandbox Breakout Using Async Generator CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
TI-2026-32052 vm2: Sandbox Breakout Through Null Proto Exception CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
TI-2026-32051 vm2 has sandbox breakout via `neutralizeArraySpeciesBatch` CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
TI-2026-32049 vm2: Sandbox Escape CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0

See all 31 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences