Описание
vm2 has a sandbox escape via unblocked cross-realm Symbol.for keys + missing bridge write-trap symbol checks
Summary
vm2 3.11.2 Symbol.for override in setup-sandbox.js only intercepts 2 of 9 dangerous Node.js cross-realm symbols. Combined with the bridge's set/defineProperty/deleteProperty traps having no isDangerousCrossRealmSymbol key check, sandbox code can obtain real cross-realm symbols, write them to host objects, and control host-side behavior — verified with a full util.promisify hijack chain.
Root Cause
1. Incomplete Symbol.for override (setup-sandbox.js:132-142):
Only inspect.custom and rejection are blocked. The following 7 Node.js internal symbols pass through as real cross-realm symbols:
nodejs.util.promisify.customnodejs.stream.readablenodejs.stream.writablenodejs.stream.duplexnodejs.stream.transformnodejs.webstream.isClosedPromisenodejs.webstream.controllerErrorFunction
Note: bridge.js isDangerousCrossRealmSymbol covers promisify.custom on reads, but the Symbol.for override in setup-sandbox does not block it at the source.
2. Missing symbol check in bridge write traps (bridge.js):
The get trap (line 1148) and ownKeys trap (line 1541) both check isDangerousCrossRealmSymbol(key), but set (line 1231), defineProperty (line 1427), and deleteProperty (line 1493) have no such check. Sandbox code can write/define/delete properties with dangerous symbol keys on any non-protected host object.
3. Incomplete filters in setup-sandbox.js:
isDangerousSymbol(), Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors override, and Object.assign override only filter inspect.custom and rejection — missing promisify.custom and all stream/webstream symbols.
Verified Exploitation: util.promisify Hijack
Additional verified attacks:
- Writing
nodejs.stream.writableto a host Readable stream, altering its duck-typing identity Object.assignpropagates unblocked symbols from sandbox source to host targetObject.definePropertywith unblocked symbol key succeeds on host objectsdelete hostObj[unblocked_symbol]succeeds, removing host-set symbol properties
Impact
- Semantic confusion: Sandbox controls host
util.promisifybehavior, host stream type checks, and WebStream internals for any non-frozen host object exposed to the sandbox. - Data integrity: Host code relying on promisified function results gets sandbox-controlled values.
- Defense bypass: Combined with specific host API patterns, sandbox-provided fake streams could bypass host-side input validation.
This is not a direct RCE — the bridge still wraps sandbox functions crossing the boundary — but it grants the sandbox control over host-side control flow decisions that depend on these symbol-keyed properties.
Affected Versions
- vm2 <= 3.11.2 (all 3.x versions)
Environment
- Node.js v24.14.0
- macOS (Darwin 25.4.0)
Suggested Fix
setup-sandbox.js: Block allnodejs.*prefixed symbols:
bridge.js: Add check to write traps:
setup-sandbox.js: SyncisDangerousSymbol,Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors,Object.assignto cover all dangerous symbols.
Пакеты
vm2
<= 3.11.3
3.11.4
Связанные уязвимости
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to version 3.11.4, Symbol.for override in setup-sandbox.js only intercepts 2 of 9 dangerous Node.js cross-realm symbols. Combined with the bridge's set/defineProperty/deleteProperty traps having no isDangerousCrossRealmSymbol key check, sandbox code can obtain real cross-realm symbols, write them to host objects, and control host-side behavior — verified with a full util.promisify hijack chain. This issue has been patched in version 3.11.4.
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to version 3.11.4, Symbol.for override in setup-sandbox.js only intercepts 2 of 9 dangerous Node.js cross-realm symbols. Combined with the bridge's set/defineProperty/deleteProperty traps having no isDangerousCrossRealmSymbol key check, sandbox code can obtain real cross-realm symbols, write them to host objects, and control host-side behavior — verified with a full util.promisify hijack chain. This issue has been patched in version 3.11.4.