CVE-2023-37903
Sandbox Escape in vm2
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In vm2 for versions up to and including 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code. This may result in Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox. There are no patches and no known workarounds. Users are advised to find an alternative software.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Sandbox Escape in vm2
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In vm2 for versions up to and including 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code. This may result in Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox. There are no patches and no known workarounds. Users are advised to find an alternative software.
- Record
CVE-2023-37903- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-2054
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In vm2 for versions up to and including 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code. This may result in Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox. There are no patches and no known workarounds. Users are advised to find an alternative software.
- Record
EUVD-2023-2054- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-g644-9gfx-q4q4
vm2 Sandbox Escape vulnerability
In vm2 for versions up to 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code.
Impact
Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox.
Patches
None.
Workarounds
None.
References
PoC is to be disclosed on or after the 5th of September.
Similarity with CVE-2023-37466
While this advisory might look similar to CVE-2023-37466, it is a completely different way of escaping the sandbox.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in VM2
Thanks to Xion (SeungHyun Lee) of KAIST Hacking Lab for disclosing this vulnerability.
- Record
GHSA-g644-9gfx-q4q4- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In vm2 for versions up to and including 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code. This may result in Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox. There are no patches and no known workarounds. Users are advised to find an alternative software.
- Record
CVE-2023-37903- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 3.1
- 10.0 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
Sandbox Escape in vm2
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. In vm2 for versions up to and including 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code. This may result in Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox. There are no patches and no known workarounds. Users are advised to find an alternative software.
- Record
CVE-2023-37903- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-g644-9gfx-q4q4
vm2 Sandbox Escape vulnerability
In vm2 for versions up to 3.9.19, Node.js custom inspect function allows attackers to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code.
Impact
Remote Code Execution, assuming the attacker has arbitrary code execution primitive inside the context of vm2 sandbox.
Patches
None.
Workarounds
None.
References
PoC is to be disclosed on or after the 5th of September.
Similarity with CVE-2023-37466
While this advisory might look similar to CVE-2023-37466, it is a completely different way of escaping the sandbox.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in VM2
Thanks to Xion (SeungHyun Lee) of KAIST Hacking Lab for disclosing this vulnerability.
- Record
GHSA-g644-9gfx-q4q4- CVSS 3.1
- 9.8 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-78
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-37903 No score
CVE-2023-37903 in vm2 - Patched by Root
Root has patched CVE-2023-37903 in the vm2 package for Root:npm. Multiple fixed versions available.
- Record
ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-37903- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
vm2npm |
through 3.9.19 | None known |
vm2Root:npm |
before 3.9.17-aikido.11 | 3.9.17-aikido.113.9.17-aikido.123.9.17-aikido.133.9.17-aikido.93.9.17-aikido.103.9.7-aikido.53.9.7-aikido.6 |
@rootio/vm2Root:npm |
before 3.9.17-root.io.11 | 3.9.17-root.io.113.9.17-root.io.123.9.17-root.io.133.9.17-root.io.93.9.17-root.io.103.9.7-root.io.53.9.7-root.io.6 |
Public exploits
Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.
| Source | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PoC in GitHub | 7h3h4ckv157/CVE-2023-37903 | 2023-11-05 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2023-37903 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Patriksimek Vm2, published July 13, 2023. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.21%, the 91st percentile. Fixed in vm2 3.9.17-aikido.11.
References
github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-g644-9gfx-q4q4
security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230831-0007
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37903