# CVE-2026-44006: patriksimek vm2 sandbox escape via arbitrary prototype access

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-44006-patriksimek-vm2-sandbox-escape-via-arbitrary-prototype-access  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-05-13. Updated: 2026-06-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-44006 · Severity: critical · CVSS 10 · Published 2026-05-13

vm2 is a popular software library used to safely run untrusted code in an isolated 'sandbox' environment. A critical security flaw allows an attacker to break out of this isolation and execute commands directly on the underlying server. This could lead to a complete system takeover, unauthorized data access, and disruption of services.

Technologies: [vm2 (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/vm2), [Red Hat Self-service automation portal](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/self-service-automation-portal). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm), [Red Hat](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/red-hat).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-44006 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-44006 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-44006?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 10, published 13 May 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** vm2 (npm) <= 3.10.5, SEMVER:introduced=0,fixed=3.11.0; Red Hat Self-service automation portal 2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-44006?** Yes. vm2 (npm): upgrade to 3.11.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-44006 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-44006?** Check whether you run vm2 (npm) or Red Hat Self-service automation portal at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- vm2 (npm): upgrade to 3.11.0 or later

  ```sh
  npm install vm2@3.11.0
  ```


## Technical details

A sandbox escape vulnerability exists in vm2 due to improper control of dynamically-identified variables. Specifically, sandboxed code can reach the 'BaseHandler.getPrototypeOf' method within 'lib/bridge.js', which allows an attacker to retrieve arbitrary prototypes from the host environment. By leveraging these prototypes, an attacker can gain access to host-level constructors (such as 'process') and execute arbitrary system commands. This bypasses the sandbox security boundary entirely. The vulnerability is fixed in version 3.11.0.

## Affected products

- patriksimek vm2 < 3.11.0
- Red Hat Self-service automation portal 2 2

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-44006
- GHSA-qcp4-v2jj-fjx8

## Timeline

- 2026-05-01: advisory: Original GitHub security advisory published by maintainer
- 2026-05-13: disclosed: CVE-2026-44006 published to NVD
- 2026-05-13: patched: Fix released in version 3.11.0

## References

- [https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-qcp4-v2jj-fjx8](https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-qcp4-v2jj-fjx8)
- [https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-44006](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-44006)
- [https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2477200](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2477200)
- [https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-44006.json](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-44006.json)

## Related threats

- [vm2 NodeVM path bypass in custom resolution](https://junglewise.ai/threats/duplicate-advisory-vm2-nodevm-custom-resolution-bypasses-external-path-5d3a7272)
- [vm2 NodeVM zlib buffer pool information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/duplicate-advisory-vm2-nodevm-zlib-buffers-expose-pooled-host-memory-6007c734)
- [vm2 host Promise rejection denial of service in construct trap](https://junglewise.ai/threats/duplicate-advisory-vm2-host-promise-rejection-from-an-exposed-f7aba6ba)
- [vm2 sandbox escape via Buffer backing-store ownership bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-100723-vm2-before-3-12-2-does-not-apply-its-buffer-backing-store)
- [vm2 unhandled Promise rejection in construct trap](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-100722-vm2-before-3-12-2-does-not-apply-host-side-promise-rejection)