Vulnerability Description
vm2 before 3.12.2 contains an authorization bypass in the NodeVM external-module resolver. When an embedder configures `require.external` with a custom resolver (and `context: 'host'`), `LegacyResolver.customResolve` in lib/resolver-compat.js records the resolved module directory in `this.externals` as `new RegExp('^' + escapeRegExp(resolvedPath))`, without requiring a path separator or end-of-string boundary. Untrusted guest code can therefore require the allowlisted module (e.g. `foo`) and then require the absolute path of a non-allowlisted sibling whose path merely shares the resolved prefix (e.g. `.../node_modules/foo2/index.js`); the sibling passes `isPathAllowedForModule` and is loaded through `hostRequire`, so its top-level code runs in the host process before the exports are wrapped with `vm.readonly`, resulting in a sandbox escape and arbitrary code execution in the host context.
CVSS Score
CRITICAL
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/commit/6ac3916da84e060c403e407b6b6318fcc66b0e
- https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/commit/91034466bfb7f56b95fd48083ec6ca36d058f1
- https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/commit/ab4ee7d803e8c80155e9eb3672226bddbca4aa
- https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-5h3f-q97h-ccvc
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/vm2-before-3.12.2-authorization-bypass-via-
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-100721?
CVE-2026-100721 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.0 (CRITICAL). vm2 before 3.12.2 contains an authorization bypass in the NodeVM external-module resolver. When an embedder configures `require.external` with a custom resolver (and `context: 'host'`), `LegacyResolve...
How severe is CVE-2026-100721?
CVE-2026-100721 has been rated CRITICAL with a CVSS base score of 9.0/10. This is considered a critical vulnerability requiring immediate attention.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-100721?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.