Vulnerability in vm2 (CVE-2026-92938)
Summary
Vulnerability in vm2 (CVE-2026-92938). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. Exploitable via NodeVM. Mitigation: upgrade to 3.11.7 or later.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
Summary
vm2 3.11.6 exposes Node.js's host node:sqlite module to NodeVM code when that builtin is allowed explicitly or through builtin: ['*']. The module is wrapped as read-only, but callable methods retain host-process authority. A sandboxed plugin can construct an in-memory database with extension loading enabled and call DatabaseSync.loadExtension() on a native library bundled in the plugin directory.
SQLite loads the library into the Node.js host process and invokes its native extension entry point. This gives the untrusted plugin arbitrary native code execution outside the sandbox.
The exploit needs only the node:sqlite builtin and a compatible native library already present in the untrusted plugin package. It does not require fs, process, module, child_process, worker_threads, vm, inspector, vm2 nesting, or an existing database file.
Details
The vulnerable boundary spans the builtin inventory, resolver, runtime loader, and generic read-only wrapper.
On current Node.js versions, the builtin inventory contains the literal name node:sqlite. vm2 admits that name when it is explicitly configured or when the wildcard allowlist is expanded:
const BUILTIN_MODULES = module.builtinModules.filter(/* denylist checks */);
The resolver then treats every request beginning with node: as a core-module request, even if the complete request string is not an allowlist key:
if (x.startsWith('node:') || this.builtins.has(x)) {
re…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD GitHub Advisory
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2026-92938 has been found in vm2.
Attackers can target a specific entry point like NodeVM over the network to misuse the product.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 9.9/10.
What to do: upgrade vm2 to 3.11.7 or later.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "vm2 CVE-2026-92938" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2026-92938 (vm2) — CWE-693 / CVSS v3 9.9
Attack vector: remote (network-reachable) / no user interaction
Attack surface: NodeVM / process / module / child_process
Patched: 3.11.7 — apply immediately
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
A vulnerability (CWE-693) exists in vm2. Attackers reach the vulnerable code path via NodeVM.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of vm2. Attack surface: NodeVM / process / module / child_process.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.9/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to 3.11.7.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Run grep -r 'vm2' . against your dependency files (package-lock.json, requirements.txt, go.sum) to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
grep -r 'vm2' . | grep -v node_modulesリポジトリと本番環境の依存ファイル (package-lock.json / requirements.txt / go.sum / Gemfile.lock 等) で
vm2を grep し、稼働しているサービス・バージョンを把握する。 -
2Apply patch patch
Upgrade vm2 to 3.11.7ステージング環境で 3.11.7 に上げて回帰テスト → 本番反映。回帰テストはアプリの主要ハッピーパスを含めること。
-
3Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
References
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package github.com
- web github.com
- web vulncheck.com
- web github.com
- web github.com
- web github.com