CVE-2026-43998: vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-43998?

vm2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-43998 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43998 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-43998 affect?

CVE-2026-43998 affects vm2. Severity is high (CVSS 8.5). 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. Beca

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-43998?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 8.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2026-43998 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.5) affecting vm2. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 c

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.5 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	High
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.7% (top 46%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-59
Published	2026-05-13
Last modified	2026-10-26

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: vm2 project

Last updated 2026-10-26 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-05-13 18:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-26 17:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vm2 project vm2 DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.10.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.10.5

1. Check installed version

npm ls vm2

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.10.5

npm view vm2 versions npm install vm2@"<3.10.5"

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-43998?

vm2: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-43998 being exploited?

CVE-2026-43998 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-43998 affect?

CVE-2026-43998 affects vm2. Severity is high (CVSS 8.5). 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. Beca

How urgent is CVE-2026-43998?

Priority 48/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Node.js vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-24781 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js
CVE-2026-26956 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js
CVE-2026-24118 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js
CVE-2026-26332 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js
CVE-2026-43997 CRITICAL 10.0 UPGRADE vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js

References

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