# vm2 NodeVM builtin deny-list bypass via node-prefixed specifiers

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/duplicate-advisory-vm2-nodevm-node-prefixed-negative-builtin-deny-9c8ecaaa  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-17. Updated: 2026-10-01  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

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

vm2 is a library that runs untrusted JavaScript code in a sandboxed environment. When administrators configure deny policies using node:-prefixed module names (like '-node:child_process'), the sandbox incorrectly permits access to restricted modules. An attacker can exploit this to gain host command-execution capability by accessing process-spawning APIs, completely defeating the sandbox security boundary.

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

## Quick answers

**Is This vulnerability exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of This vulnerability being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is This vulnerability?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.9, published 17 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** vm2 (npm) <= 3.11.6; Prisma Vm2 <= 3.11.6.

**Is there a fix for This vulnerability?** A patch was published on 2026-08-24: Fixed in vm2 3.11.7 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is This vulnerability attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a software library.

**Am I affected?** Check whether you run vm2 (npm) or Prisma Vm2 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.

## Technical details

vm2's NodeVM strips the 'node:' prefix during require() resolution but fails to normalize this prefix when checking negative (deny) entries in wildcard builtin policies, performing exact string matching instead. An attacker can require('child_process') or require('node:child_process') to obtain the host module despite a policy denying '-node:child_process', gaining access to execSync, spawn, and other process APIs. The vulnerability was fixed in vm2 3.11.7.

## Affected products

- Prisma vm2 <= 3.11.6

## Timeline

- 2026-08-24: disclosed: Original advisory GHSA-8686-vhfx-7r3j published
- 2026-08-24: patched: Fixed in vm2 3.11.7
- 2026-09-17: advisory: Duplicate advisory GHSA-28q4-xrqh-9479 published
- 2026-10-01: other: Duplicate advisory withdrawn

## References

- [https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-8686-vhfx-7r3j](https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-8686-vhfx-7r3j)

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