Misuse of `Reference` and other transferable APIs may lead to access to nodejs isolate
Description
isolated-vm is a library for nodejs which gives you access to v8's Isolate interface. Versions of isolated-vm before v4.0.0 have API pitfalls which may make it easy for implementers to expose supposed secure isolates to the permissions of the main nodejs isolate. Reference objects allow access to the underlying reference's full prototype chain. In an environment where the implementer has exposed a Reference instance to an attacker they would be able to use it to acquire a Reference to the nodejs context's Function object. Similar application-specific attacks could be possible by modifying the local prototype of other API objects. Access to NativeModule objects could allow an attacker to load and run native code from anywhere on the filesystem. If combined with, for example, a file upload API this would allow for arbitrary code execution. This is addressed in v4.0.0 through a series of related changes.
AI Insight
LLM-synthesized narrative grounded in this CVE's description and references.
Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
isolated-vmnpm | < 4.0.0 | 4.0.0 |
Affected products
2- Range: < 4.0.0
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
Generated on May 9, 2026. Inputs: CWE entries + fix-commit diffs from this CVE's patches. Citations validated against bundle.
References
6- github.com/advisories/GHSA-mmhj-4w6j-76h7ghsaADVISORY
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-21413ghsaADVISORY
- github.com/laverdet/isolated-vm/blob/main/CHANGELOG.mdghsax_refsource_MISCWEB
- github.com/laverdet/isolated-vm/commit/2646e6c1558bac66285daeab54c7d490ed332b15ghsax_refsource_MISCWEB
- github.com/laverdet/isolated-vm/commit/27151bfecc260e96714443613880e3b2e6596704ghsax_refsource_MISCWEB
- github.com/laverdet/isolated-vm/security/advisories/GHSA-mmhj-4w6j-76h7ghsax_refsource_CONFIRMWEB
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