vm2: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2026-47209 is a high-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in vm2 from Patriksimek, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected vm2 versions: < 3.11.4. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of vm2 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriksimek | vm2 | < 3.11.4 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to version 3.11.4, the BaseHandler.set trap in bridge.js (line 1231) ignores the receiver parameter and unconditionally writes to the host target object. Per the Proxy set trap specification, when receiver !== proxy (e.g., when a child object inherits from the proxy via Object.create), the property assignment should create an own property on the receiver, not on the proxy target. The current implementation always calls otherReflectSet(object, key, value) against the host target, causing all inherited property writes to leak through to the host object. This bug provides an alternative attack vector for writing dangerous cross-realm Symbol keys (e.g., nodejs.util.promisify.custom) to host objects, bypassing any future per-trap isDangerousCrossRealmSymbol guard on the direct set path. This issue has been patched in version 3.11.4.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Protection Mechanism Failure
The product does not use or incorrectly uses a protection mechanism that provides sufficient defense against directed attacks against the product.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in vm2
- 7.5 High severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
Recent Protection Mechanism Failure vulnerabilities
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
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