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vm2: NodeVM custom resolution bypasses external path boundaries

Type: advisorySource: OSV1 source record

## Summary At source revision `91034466bfb7f56b95fd48083ec6ca36d058f164` of vm2 3.11.8, an untrusted `NodeVM` guest can turn one allowlisted custom-resolved module into authorization for a separate file whose path merely shares the resolved path's string prefix. `LegacyResolver.customResolve` stores the resolved path in `this.externals` as `^` without an end or separator boundary; a later absolute require of a sibling such as `foo2/index.js` therefore passes the external check and is loaded through `hostRequire` when the configured context is `host`. The decisive attack loaded `foo` as `FOO_OK` and then executed the prefix-sharing sibling, which returned `PREFIX_PWN` after invoking `child_process`; an otherwise identical control denied the sibling with `ENOTFOUND`. ## Technical Details The affected configuration is a documented `NodeVM` use in which the embedder sets `require.external` to `{modules: ['foo'], transitive: false}`, supplies a custom resolver that returns the `foo` directory, sets a root directory, and uses `context: 'host'`. The guest controls the `require` specifiers and requests the allowlisted bare name before requesting the absolute path of the prefix-sharing sibling. The test entry point is deliberately outside the configured root so ordinary `node_modules` lookup misses and the custom resolver is consulted. The source-to-sink path is: - `NodeVM.run` executes guest code and creates the module-specific `require` function at `lib/nodevm.js:516-575`. - `Defaul

Announced Group revision 1
Original source ↗

GHSA-5h3f-q97h-ccvc

Primary source · Revision 1

Imported from structured advisory data. Source references identify upstream records or fields; verify affected versions and your deployed configuration.

Security context

Source reference: osv:GHSA-5h3f-q97h-ccvc

vm2

Source reference: /affected/0/package/name

Affected versions
Not stated in this record
Fixed versions
3.12.2

Source reference: /affected/0/ranges

Prerequisites
Not stated in this record

Structured affected-version data

Original package identities and version rules from this source.

[
  {
    "ranges": [
      {
        "type": "SEMVER",
        "events": [
          {
            "introduced": "0"
          },
          {
            "fixed": "3.12.2"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "package": {
      "name": "vm2",
      "purl": "pkg:npm/vm2",
      "ecosystem": "npm"
    },
    "database_specific": {
      "source": "https://github.com/github/advisory-database/blob/main/advisories/github-reviewed/2026/10/GHSA-5h3f-q97h-ccvc/GHSA-5h3f-q97h-ccvc.json",
      "last_known_affected_version_range": "<= 3.12.1"
    }
  }
]
Related CVEs
CVE-2026-100721

Source reference: /aliases

Publisher severity

critical

Source reference: /database_specific/severity

Linked CVE context

These ratings describe the referenced vulnerabilities and products. They are not a severity rating for every application using this dependency.

Event
#85921 · Revision 1
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