vm2: NodeVM nesting guard accepts array-shaped require and permits host RCE

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS

9.0 · CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS

• CVE-2026-92935: 0.64% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 50.54 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Summary The NodeVM constructor computes hasRealRequireConfig using typeof requireOpts === 'object' && requireOpts !== null, so require: [] bypasses the guard intended to reject nesting without an explicit require configuration. makeResolverFromLegacyOptions() then destructures the array to undefined option fields and returns a resolver containing only NESTINGOVERRIDE.vm2. Any attacker whose JavaScript is executed by a downstream NodeVM configured with {nesting: true, require: []} can load the host vm2 module, create an inner NodeVM with an attacker-selected builtin allowlist, and execute commands as the host process. No equivalent plain-object validation exists in makeResolverFromLegacyOptions(). Array is converted into the vm2-only resolver: https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/blob/54b54b74a382577f0bcd0538c5bf99acdcd7f53b/lib/resolver-compat.js#L205-L226 Nesting loader returns the host VM constructors:…

Published by the source

1 Oct 2026, 15:34 UTC

Last modified by the source

1 Oct 2026, 15:45 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 13:06 UTC

1. Revision 3 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w

2. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Amended from osv record GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w

3. Revision 1 · created · 23 Oct 2026

   Published from ghsa record GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w

Preview the exact text before you copy it. Commands are read-only suggestions; review them before running anything.

# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-92935

Advisory: vm2: NodeVM nesting guard accepts array-shaped require and permits host RCE
IDs: CVE-2026-92935, GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-92935 (revision 3, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 13:06 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: Critical (CVSS 9.0)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: vm2 3.11.7. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- npm vm2: affected >= 3.11.4, <= 3.11.6; fixed in 3.11.7

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `npm ls vm2 --all`: lists every installed copy and version, including transitive ones. Run in the project root after `npm ci`.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on vm2.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w lists affected ranges: npm vm2 >=3.11.4 <=3.11.6)
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w (OSV record GHSA-8hr7-r645-pc6w lists affected ranges: npm vm2 >=3.11.4 <3.11.7 (fixed))

Commands are suggestions: review each one before running it.