CVE-2023-29199
vm2 Sandbox escape vulnerability
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context. A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox. This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
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
vm2 Sandbox escape vulnerability
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context. A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox. This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
- Record
CVE-2023-29199- 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-913
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-1428
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context. A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox. This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
- Record
EUVD-2023-1428- 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
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-xj72-wvfv-8985
vm2 Sandbox Escape vulnerability
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context.
Impact
A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox.
Patches
This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
Workarounds
None.
References
Github Issue - https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/issues/516 PoC - https://gist.github.com/leesh3288/f05730165799bf56d70391f3d9ea187c
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-xj72-wvfv-8985- 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-913
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context. A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox. This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
- Record
CVE-2023-29199- 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-913
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
vm2 Sandbox escape vulnerability
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context. A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox. This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
- Record
CVE-2023-29199- 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-913
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-xj72-wvfv-8985
vm2 Sandbox Escape vulnerability
There exists a vulnerability in source code transformer (exception sanitization logic) of vm2 for versions up to 3.9.15, allowing attackers to bypass handleException() and leak unsanitized host exceptions which can be used to escape the sandbox and run arbitrary code in host context.
Impact
A threat actor can bypass the sandbox protections to gain remote code execution rights on the host running the sandbox.
Patches
This vulnerability was patched in the release of version 3.9.16 of vm2.
Workarounds
None.
References
Github Issue - https://github.com/patriksimek/vm2/issues/516 PoC - https://gist.github.com/leesh3288/f05730165799bf56d70391f3d9ea187c
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-xj72-wvfv-8985- 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-913
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-29199 No score
CVE-2023-29199 in vm2 - Patched by Root
Root has patched CVE-2023-29199 in the vm2 package for Root:npm. Multiple fixed versions available.
- Record
ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-29199- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
vm2npm |
before 3.9.16 | 3.9.16 |
vm2Root:npm |
before 3.9.7-aikido.4 | 3.9.7-aikido.43.9.7-aikido.53.9.7-aikido.6 |
@rootio/vm2Root:npm |
before 3.9.7-root.io.4 | 3.9.7-root.io.43.9.7-root.io.53.9.7-root.io.6 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2023-29199 is a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8) in Patriksimek Vm2, published April 12, 2023. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 3.85%, the 90th percentile. Fixed in vm2 3.9.16.
References
github.com/patriksimek/vm2/security/advisories/GHSA-xj72-wvfv-8985
gist.github.com/leesh3288/f05730165799bf56d70391f3d9ea187c
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29199