CVE-2026-92941 in vm2
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2026
vm2 versions from 3.11.3 before 3.11.7 expose the host tls module to NodeVM sandbox code, allowing attackers to call tls.setDefaultCACertificates() and replace process-wide certificate authorities. Attackers with access to allowed tls and url builtins can use URLSearchParams to create host-realm arrays and manipulate the TLS trust store, enabling subsequent host HTTPS clients to accept attacker-controlled certificates.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2026
The vulnerability identified in vm2 versions ranging from 3.11.3 up to but not including 3.11.7 represents a critical sandbox escape mechanism that compromises the integrity of Node.js applications by exposing sensitive host modules to untrusted code within the VM context. Specifically, this flaw allows malicious actors who have been granted access to specific built-in modules, namely tls and url, to manipulate the global Transport Layer Security configuration of the underlying process. By leveraging these exposed interfaces, an attacker can invoke the setDefaultCACertificates method on the host TLS module, effectively replacing the system-wide certificate authority trust store with one controlled by the adversary. This capability fundamentally breaks the security model of sandboxed execution environments where isolation is paramount, as it allows code running inside a restricted VM to alter global state that affects all other parts of the application and potentially the entire operating system context in which the Node.js process resides.
From a technical perspective, the exploitation vector relies on the interaction between the url built-in module and the tls built-in module through the URLSearchParams API. Attackers can construct specific host-realm arrays using URLSearchParams to format malicious certificate data or configuration parameters that are then passed to the TLS module functions. This manipulation enables the insertion of attacker-controlled certificates into the trust store, which means that subsequent HTTPS clients within the same process will accept these fraudulent certificates as valid. Consequently, this vulnerability facilitates man-in-the-middle attacks against internal communications, allowing for the interception and decryption of sensitive data transmitted over encrypted channels without triggering certificate validation errors or security warnings in standard client implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, particularly in environments where vm2 is used to execute untrusted user input or plugins within a Node.js application. If an attacker can inject code into such a sandboxed environment and the configuration permits access to the tls module, they gain the ability to undermine the confidentiality and integrity of network communications initiated by the host process. This could lead to the exfiltration of sensitive credentials, session tokens, or proprietary data that is transmitted over HTTPS connections managed by the compromised application. Furthermore, because the modification affects the default certificate authorities for the entire Node.js process, it may impact multiple services running within the same environment, amplifying the blast radius beyond the immediate sandboxed context and potentially compromising other microservices or backend systems that rely on standard TLS verification practices.
To mitigate this risk, organizations must immediately upgrade vm2 to version 3.11.7 or later, where these specific exposure paths have been addressed by the maintainers. In cases where upgrading is not immediately feasible, it is critical to review and restrict the built-in modules available within VM configurations. Specifically, access to the tls module should be disabled unless absolutely necessary for legitimate functionality that can be safely abstracted through a controlled API layer rather than direct exposure of host methods. Additionally, implementing strict allowlists for required modules and avoiding the use of complex object manipulation techniques like URLSearchParams in conjunction with security-sensitive built-ins can reduce the attack surface. Security teams should also monitor for unusual patterns in TLS configuration changes within their Node.js applications as an indicator of potential exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability class.
This issue aligns with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, specifically regarding the failure to restrict access to critical system resources such as cryptographic configurations. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1557, Adversary-in-the-Middle, where an attacker positions themselves between two communicating parties to intercept or alter communications by manipulating trust anchors. The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how improper sandboxing practices can lead to privilege escalation from a restricted execution context to full control over network security parameters, underscoring the importance of rigorous configuration management and regular dependency updates in maintaining robust application security postures.