# CVE-2026-92948: vm2 NodeVM builtin allowlist bypass and sandbox escape

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-92948-vm2-nodevm-builtin-allowlist-bypass-and-sandbox-escape  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-17. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-92948 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.9 · Published 2026-09-17

vm2 is a JavaScript sandboxing library used to safely execute untrusted code in isolated environments. This vulnerability allows sandbox escape when Node.js 24+ is used and the node:test builtin module is explicitly allowed. An attacker who can run JavaScript within the sandbox can exploit a prefix-stripping logic flaw to access the host node:test module, then call its process spawning API with arbitrary command-line arguments to execute unrestricted code on the host system with full filesystem, network, and process permissions.

Technologies: [vm2 (npm)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/vm2). Vendors: [npm](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/npm).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-92948 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-92948 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-92948?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.9, published 17 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** vm2 (npm) >= 3.9.6, <= 3.11.6, SEMVER:introduced=3.9.6,fixed=3.11.7.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-92948?** Yes. vm2 (npm): upgrade to 3.11.7 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-92948 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-92948?** Check whether you run vm2 (npm) 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 3.11.7 or later

  ```sh
  npm install vm2@3.11.7
  ```


## Technical details

The vulnerability is a sandbox bypass caused by a combination of three design flaws: (1) Node.js 24+ exposes a scheme-only builtin module key 'node:test' that is not covered by vm2's DANGEROUS_BUILTINS family-based protection; (2) when explicitly allowed by the embedder, this module is stored in the generic host-passthrough loader; (3) requireImpl() in lib/setup-node-sandbox.js normalizes module paths by stripping a single 'node:' prefix, so sandbox code calling require('node:node:test') resolves to the stored 'node:test' key. The attacker receives a readonly proxy to the host module and can invoke node:test.run() with attacker-controlled execArgv parameters, including --eval=&lt;code&gt;, which spawns an unrestricted Node process with full host privileges. The vulnerability requires Node.js 24+, the explicit configuration of require:{builtin:['node:test']}, and the attacker to execute code within the sandbox. A proof-of-concept demonstrates host RCE. Fixed in version 3.11.7.

## Affected products

- vm2 vm2 >=3.9.6, <=3.11.6

## Identifiers

- CVE-2026-92948
- GHSA-qhwx-74w5-xhxq

## Timeline

- 2026-08-24: disclosed: Security advisory published on GitHub
- 2026-09-17: advisory: NVD and public advisory posted
- 2026-09-17: patched: vm2 3.11.7 released with fix

## References

- [https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-qhwx-74w5-xhxq](https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-qhwx-74w5-xhxq)
- [https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/vm2-3.9.6-through-3.11.5-sandbox-escape-via-node-test](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/vm2-3.9.6-through-3.11.5-sandbox-escape-via-node-test)

## 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)