CVE-2026-92938: vm2 allows a sandboxed plugin to execute native code through `node:sqlite`

Should you act?

Critical, preconditions apply

Severe if exploited, but exploitation needs conditions that may not apply to you. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• 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 (low (any account)). Exposure depends on who can log in.
• Only applies if your dependency tree includes vm2 (npm) >= 3.11.3, <= 3.11.6, fixed in 3.11.7. Check your lockfile, including transitive dependencies.
• Editorial verdict: Check exposure. vm2: 22 Critical Sandbox Escapes, Fixed in 3.12.2 — If anything outside your trust boundary can get code into vm2, upgrade to 3.12.2 today and plan to move that code out of process; if vm2 only runs your own code, upgrade on a normal cycle.

What it is

vm2 versions 3.11.3 through 3.11.6 expose Node.js's host node:sqlite module to code running in NodeVM when that builtin is permitted, either explicitly or through builtin: ['']. The module is wrapped with vm.readonly(), which prevents property assignment but leaves host-authority callables reachable; in addition, the resolver treats any request starting with 'node:' as a core-module request and the runtime strips only one 'node:' prefix, so a sandbox request for 'node:node:sqlite' resolves to the configured node:sqlite entry. Sandboxed code can therefore create an in-memory DatabaseSync with extension loading enabled and call DatabaseSync.loadExtension() on a native library bundled in the untrusted plugin package (path derived from dirname). SQLite loads the library into the Node.js host process and invokes its native entry point, giving the sandboxed plugin arbitrary native code execution outside the sandbox with the host process's privileges. The issue is fixed in vm2 3.11.7.

From the GitHub advisory

Summary

vm2 3.11.6 exposes Node.js's host node:sqlite module to NodeVM code when that builtin is allowed explicitly or through builtin: ['']. The module is wrapped as read-only, but callable methods retain host-process authority. A sandboxed plugin can construct an in-memory database with extension loading enabled and call DatabaseSync.loadExtension() on a native library bundled in the plugin directory.

SQLite loads the library into the Node.js host process and invokes its native extension entry point. This gives the untrusted plugin arbitrary native code execution outside the sandbox.

The exploit needs only the node:sqlite builtin and a compatible native library already present in the untrusted plugin package. It does not require fs, process, module, childprocess, workerthreads, vm, inspector, vm2 nesting, or an existing database file.

Details

Weakness type: CWE-693.

Product: vm2 (npm) · Assigned by: VulnCheck · Published: 2026-09-17

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
• Attack complexity: low
• Attack requirements: none
• Privileges required: low (any account)
• User interaction: none

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• 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): 0.62% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 49.

Timeline

• 2026-08-17 — erroneo.us brief: vm2: 22 Critical Sandbox Escapes, Fixed in 3.12.2
• 2026-09-17 — CVE record published by VulnCheck
• 2026-09-19 — CVE record last updated
• 2026-10-01 — GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-6w8r-xxw2-g3hx published (critical)

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. GitHub Security Advisory (GHSA-6w8r-xxw2-g3hx) github.com

Vulnerability records

1. GitHub Advisory GHSA-6w8r-xxw2-g3hx github.com
2. CVE.org record CVE-2026-92938 cve.org
3. NVD entry CVE-2026-92938 nvd.nist.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. VulnCheck Advisory: vm2 3.11.3 through 3.11.6 Remote Code Execution via node:sqlite vulncheck.com
2. github.com github.com
3. github.com github.com

Critical npm advisories · Today’s Security Digest