CVE-2022-39266 in isolated-vm
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2022
isolated-vm is a library for nodejs which gives the user access to v8's Isolate interface. In versions 4.3.6 and prior, if the untrusted v8 cached data is passed to the API through CachedDataOptions, attackers can bypass the sandbox and run arbitrary code in the nodejs process. As of time of publication, there are no known fixed versions or workarounds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2022
The isolated-vm library represents a critical security vulnerability that affects Node.js applications through its exposure of V8's Isolate interface. This library provides developers with direct access to V8's isolation mechanisms, enabling secure sandboxed execution environments. However, the vulnerability in versions 4.3.6 and prior demonstrates a fundamental flaw in how cached data is handled within the CachedDataOptions API. The issue stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of untrusted V8 cached data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the intended sandbox boundaries.
The technical flaw manifests when attackers supply malicious cached data through the CachedDataOptions parameter, which then gets processed without adequate security checks. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of V8's internal caching mechanisms and Node.js's sandboxing architecture, allowing for privilege escalation attacks that can execute arbitrary code within the Node.js process context. The attack vector specifically targets the cached data handling within the Isolate interface, where the library fails to properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. This represents a classic sandbox escape vulnerability that leverages the trust placed in cached data to bypass security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security model that isolated-vm is designed to provide. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects applications that rely on isolated-vm for processing untrusted input or caching V8 data, creating widespread potential for exploitation across various Node.js applications. The lack of fixed versions or workarounds at the time of publication exacerbates the risk, leaving affected systems vulnerable without immediate remediation options. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-15 (External Control of System or Configuration Setting) and represents a sophisticated attack pattern that exploits the trust model inherent in caching mechanisms.
Organizations using isolated-vm in their Node.js applications face significant risk exposure from this vulnerability, particularly those handling untrusted data or implementing caching strategies. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to patched versions of the library, though the absence of fixed versions at publication time necessitates careful risk assessment and potential architectural changes. Security teams should implement monitoring for suspicious usage patterns and consider alternative sandboxing approaches until proper patches are available. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all input data, especially in systems that rely on caching mechanisms for performance optimization. The attack surface extends to any Node.js application that utilizes cached data processing within isolated-vm, making it a high-priority concern for system administrators and security professionals managing enterprise Node.js environments.