CVE-2023-29017
CriticalPublic exploitvm2 vulnerable to sandbox escape
Published Apr 7, 2023 · Updated Sep 30, 2026 · Also known as GHSA-7jxr-cg7f-gpgv, ROOT-APP-NPM-CVE-2023-29017, TR-23-0206
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-29017 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Vm2 (Vm2 Project), @rootio/vm2 (root).
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 63% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including @rootio/vm2 3.9.7-root.io.5, @rootio/vm2 3.9.7-root.io.6, Vm2 3.9.15.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
63%
Higher than 99.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-29017 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
vm2 is a sandbox that can run untrusted code with whitelisted Node's built-in modules. Prior to version 3.9.15, vm2 was not properly handling host objects passed to Error.prepareStackTrace in case of unhandled async errors. A threat actor could 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 3.9.15 of vm2. There are no known workarounds.
Affected Products
5 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Vm2Vm2 Project | >= < 3.9.15 | 3.9.15 |
| @rootio/vm2root | See advisory | 3.9.7-root.io.5 |
Patched Releases
@rootio/vm2
3.9.7-root.io.5, 3.9.7-root.io.6
Vm2
3.9.15, 3.9.7-aikido.5, 3.9.7-aikido.6
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Apr 7, 2023
Last updated
Sep 30, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-755 Improper Handling of Exceptional Conditions
- CWE-913 Improper Control of Dynamically-Managed Code Resources
References
- advisoryGHSA advisory
- advisoryhttps://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2023/29xxx/CVE-2023-29017.json
- advisoryhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29017
- advisoryhttps://thehackernews.com/2022/10/researchers-detail-critical-rce-flaw.html
- advisoryhttps://thehackernews.com/2023/04/researchers-discover-critical-remote.html
FAQ
Common Questions.
vm2 is a sandbox that can run untrusted code with whitelisted Node's built-in modules.
Affected: Vm2 (Vm2 Project) versions >= < 3.9.15; @rootio/vm2 (root). The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including @rootio/vm2 3.9.7-root.io.5, @rootio/vm2 3.9.7-root.io.6, Vm2 3.9.15.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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