CVE-2026-43998: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in patriksimek vm2
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In 3.10.5, NodeVM's require.root path restriction can be bypassed using filesystem symlinks, allowing sandboxed code to load modules from outside the allowed root directory in host context. Because path validation uses path.resolve() (which does not dereference symlinks) but module loading uses Node's native require() (which does), an attacker can load arbitrary host-realm modules and achieve remote code execution. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vm2 Node.js sandbox version 3.10.5 contains a CWE-59 improper link resolution vulnerability where the require.root path restriction can be bypassed using symbolic links. The path validation relies on path.resolve(), which does not dereference symlinks, but module loading uses Node's require(), which does dereference symlinks. This allows sandboxed code to load arbitrary modules from outside the intended root directory in the host context, potentially leading to remote code execution. The vulnerability is addressed in vm2 version 3.11.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker with the ability to execute code within the vm2 sandbox can bypass directory restrictions and load arbitrary modules from the host system, leading to remote code execution with the privileges of the host process. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in vm2 version 3.11.0. Users should upgrade to version 3.11.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. There is no indication from the vendor advisory that any temporary mitigations or workarounds exist. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2026-43998: CWE-59: Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following') in patriksimek vm2
Description
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In 3.10.5, NodeVM's require.root path restriction can be bypassed using filesystem symlinks, allowing sandboxed code to load modules from outside the allowed root directory in host context. Because path validation uses path.resolve() (which does not dereference symlinks) but module loading uses Node's native require() (which does), an attacker can load arbitrary host-realm modules and achieve remote code execution. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.5high
Affected software
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Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The vm2 Node.js sandbox version 3.10.5 contains a CWE-59 improper link resolution vulnerability where the require.root path restriction can be bypassed using symbolic links. The path validation relies on path.resolve(), which does not dereference symlinks, but module loading uses Node's require(), which does dereference symlinks. This allows sandboxed code to load arbitrary modules from outside the intended root directory in the host context, potentially leading to remote code execution. The vulnerability is addressed in vm2 version 3.11.0.
Potential Impact
An attacker with the ability to execute code within the vm2 sandbox can bypass directory restrictions and load arbitrary modules from the host system, leading to remote code execution with the privileges of the host process. This compromises confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the host environment.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in vm2 version 3.11.0. Users should upgrade to version 3.11.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. There is no indication from the vendor advisory that any temporary mitigations or workarounds exist. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-04T20:24:31.917Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-43998","vendor":"Red Hat"}]
Threat ID: 6a04ba1fcbff5d8610f48253
Added to database: 05/13/2026, 17:51:27 UTC
Last enriched: 07/15/2026, 09:20:00 UTC
Last updated: 07/31/2026, 19:22:59 UTC
Views: 53
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