---
title: "CVE-2026-44007: vm2 NodeVM `nesting: true` bypasses `require: false` allowing sandbox escape and arbitrary OS command execution"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-44007/
description: "CVE-2026-44007 (vm2 (npm)): vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to 3.11.1, when a NodeVM is created with nesting: true, sandbox code can…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-05-13
date_modified: 2026-09-07
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-44007"
kev: false
cvss: 9.1
epss: 0.00612
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-44007: vm2 NodeVM `nesting: true` bypasses `require: false` allowing sandbox escape and arbitrary OS command execution

**Signal:** Critical, preconditions apply. Severe if exploited, but exploitation needs conditions that may not apply to you. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Not in CISA KEV , but CISA’s SSVC assessment records a public proof-of-concept, so attack code exists.
- EPSS 0.6% , percentile 49: FIRST’s model estimates a 0.6% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 49% of all scored CVEs (low). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Needs an account (high (admin)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
- Only applies if your dependency tree includes vm2 (npm) <= 3.11.0, fixed in 3.11.1 . Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.

## What it is

vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to 3.11.1, when a NodeVM is created with nesting: true, sandbox code can unconditionally require('vm2') regardless of the outer VM's require configuration — including require: false. With access to vm2, the sandbox constructs a new inner NodeVM with its own unrestricted require settings and executes arbitrary OS commands on the host. Any application that runs untrusted code inside a NodeVM with nesting: true is fully compromised. This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.1.

## Affected packages

- npm `vm2` <= 3.11.0 → fixed: 3.11.1

## Affected products (CVE record)

- patriksimek vm2: < 3.11.1

## Severity

- GitHub_M CVSS 3.1: 9.1 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`
- redhat-SADP CVSS 3.1: 9.9 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`
- GitHub CVSS 3.1: 9.1 `CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: not listed (no confirmed in-the-wild exploitation known to CISA).
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation poc , automatable no , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 0.61% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 49.

## Sources

- [access.redhat.com](https://access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2026:50850)
- [GitHub Advisory GHSA-8hg8-63c5-gwmx](https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-8hg8-63c5-gwmx)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-44007](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-44007)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-44007](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-44007)
- [github.com](https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-8hg8-63c5-gwmx)
- [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/05/05/11)
- [access.redhat.com](https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-44007)
- [RHBZ#2477198](https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2477198)
- [security.access.redhat.com](https://security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/vex/2026/cve-2026-44007.json)
- [github.com](https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/releases/tag/v3.11.1)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-44007/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt