vm2 vulnerability

vm2 versions 3.11.3 through 3.11.6 expose Node.js's host node:sqlite module to code running in NodeVM when that builtin is permitted, either explicitly or through builtin: ['*']. The module is wrapped with vm.readonly(), which prevents property assignment but leaves host-authority callables reachable; in addition, the resolver treats any request starting with 'node:' as a core-module request and the runtime strips only one 'node:' prefix, so a sandbox request for 'node:node:sqlite' resolves to the configured node:sqlite entry. Sandboxed code can therefore create an in-memory DatabaseSync with extension loading enabled and call DatabaseSync.loadExtension() on a native library bundled in the untrusted plugin package (path derived from __dirname). SQLite loads the library into the Node.js host process and invokes its native entry point, giving the sandboxed plugin arbitrary native code execution outside the sandbox with the host process's privileges. The issue is fixed in vm2 3.11.7.

Published 17 Sep 2026Updated 19 Sep 20263 sources
CVSS 9.4

What happened

vm2 versions 3.11.3 through 3.11.6 expose Node.js's host node:sqlite module to code running in NodeVM when that builtin is permitted, either explicitly or through builtin: ['*']. The module is wrapped with vm.readonly(), which prevents property assignment but leaves host-authority callables reachable; in addition, the resolver treats any request starting with 'node:' as a core-module request and the runtime strips only one 'node:' prefix, so a sandbox request for 'node:node:sqlite' resolves to the configured node:sqlite entry. Sandboxed code can therefore create an in-memory DatabaseSync with extension loading enabled and call DatabaseSync.loadExtension() on a native library bundled in the untrusted plugin package (path derived from __dirname). SQLite loads the library into the Node.js host process and invokes its native entry point, giving the sandboxed plugin arbitrary native code execution outside the sandbox with the host process's privileges. The issue is fixed in vm2 3.11.7.

Affected versions

vm2: 3.11.3 through before 3.11.7 (semver) Fixed: See vendor advisory.

Why it matters

Review the vendor advisory and exposure of the affected product to determine operational impact.

Detection & mitigation

  • Apply vendor-provided updates or mitigations.
  • Review affected product exposure and access logs.

Public PoC references

No public PoC reference has passed the current publication threshold.