vm2: Protection Mechanism Failure
CVE-2026-92944 is a critical-severity protection mechanism failure vulnerability in vm2 from Patriksimek, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.11.7 as the first without the flaw, so updating vm2 to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.84% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update vm2 to 3.11.7 or a later version.
- 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 | 3.10.2 up to, but not including, 3.11.7 | 3.11.7 |
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
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 9.3 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CNA (vulncheck.com) |
Official description
vm2 versions 3.10.2 through 3.11.6 contain a sandbox escape vulnerability on Node.js 26 where Promise.prototype.finally() bypasses vm2's wrapper protections due to a stale PromiseThenLookupChain protector in V8 14.6. Attackers can exploit this by creating an async function that returns a Promise with an attacker-controlled constructor Symbol.species, allowing them to reach the host Function constructor and process object for arbitrary code execution.
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: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
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
- 7.1 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
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