CVE-2023-29017 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A critical vulnerability labeled as CVE-2023-29017 has been identified in the vm2 sandbox. This vulnerability could allow threat actors to escape the sandbox and execute remote code on the host system, impacting versions prior to 3.9.15.

Understanding CVE-2023-29017

The CVE-2023-29017 vulnerability in the vm2 sandbox pertains to improper handling of host objects passed to

Error.prepareStackTrace

, potentially leading to remote code execution.

What is CVE-2023-29017?

vm2, a sandbox environment for running untrusted code with whitelisted Node.js built-in modules, suffers from a critical flaw in versions prior to 3.9.15. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow threat actors to execute remote code on the host system.

The Impact of CVE-2023-29017

The impact of CVE-2023-29017 is severe, as threat actors could leverage this vulnerability to escape the sandbox environment and execute malicious code on the host system, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-29017

The vulnerability in vm2 prior to version 3.9.15 lies in the improper handling of host objects passed to

Error.prepareStackTrace

when dealing with unhandled async errors. This flaw could be exploited by threat actors to bypass sandbox protections and achieve remote code execution on the host system.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from vm2's inadequate handling of host objects within the

Error.prepareStackTrace

function, allowing threat actors to execute malicious code outside of the sandboxed environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of vm2 prior to 3.9.15 are affected by this vulnerability. Users and administrators are strongly advised to update to the patched version to safeguard their systems against potential exploitation.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors could exploit this vulnerability by manipulating host objects passed to

Error.prepareStackTrace

within unhandled async errors, granting them the ability to execute arbitrary code remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-29017 vulnerability and enhance system security, immediate action and long-term security practices are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update vm2 to version 3.9.15 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Review and implement appropriate security configurations to reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and apply patches promptly.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from vm2's official sources to protect your systems from emerging threats.