Описание
vm2's Transformer Fast-Path Bypass Exposes Internal State Variable
Summary
vm2's code transformer has a performance optimization that skips AST analysis when the code does not contain catch, import, or async keywords. This fast-path bypass allows sandboxed code to directly access the internal VM2_INTERNAL_STATE_DO_NOT_USE_OR_PROGRAM_WILL_FAIL variable, which exposes internal security functions (handleException, wrapWith, import).
Details
In lib/transformer.js:55-57, a regex check /\b(?:catch|import|async)\b/ determines whether AST transformation is needed. If the code does not contain any of these keywords, the transformer returns the code unmodified.
When the fast-path is taken:
- INTERNAL_STATE_NAME identifier check is bypassed: The AST visitor that blocks access to
VM2_INTERNAL_STATE_DO_NOT_USE_OR_PROGRAM_WILL_FAILnever runs withstatement instrumentation is bypassed:with()statements are not wrapped withwrapWith(), enabling scope manipulation- The internal state object exposes:
handleException(e),wrapWith(x),import(what)
While these methods are currently defensive utilities (not direct escape vectors), this represents a complete bypass of a security control. Any future addition of a sensitive method to the internal state object would be immediately exploitable.
PoC
Library-level PoC (Node.js script — primary):
HTTP demonstration:
Suggested fix:
Impact
- Security Control Bypass: The INTERNAL_STATE_NAME access restriction is completely ineffective when the code avoids 3 specific keywords.
- Defense-in-Depth Violation: Internal security functions are exposed, creating a latent attack surface for future code changes.
- Scope: All applications using vm2. No special configuration required.
Пакеты
vm2
<= 3.10.5
3.11.0
Связанные уязвимости
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to 3.11.0, vm2's code transformer has a performance optimization that skips AST analysis when the code does not contain catch, import, or async keywords. This fast-path bypass allows sandboxed code to directly access the internal VM2_INTERNAL_STATE_DO_NOT_USE_OR_PROGRAM_WILL_FAIL variable, which exposes internal security functions (handleException, wrapWith, import). This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.0.
vm2 is an open source vm/sandbox for Node.js. Prior to 3.11.0, vm2's code transformer has a performance optimization that skips AST analysis when the code does not contain catch, import, or async keywords. This fast-path bypass allows sandboxed code to directly access the internal VM2_INTERNAL_STATE_DO_NOT_USE_OR_PROGRAM_WILL_FAIL variable, which exposes internal security functions (handleException, wrapWith, import). This vulnerability is fixed in 3.11.0.
Уязвимость трансформатора кода библиотеки vm2 пакетного менеджера NPM, позволяющая нарушителю выполнить произвольный код