CVE-2025-55131
📋 TL;DR
A Node.js vulnerability in the vm module's buffer allocation can expose uninitialized memory when timeouts interrupt allocations. This may leak sensitive data like tokens or passwords or cause data corruption. It affects Node.js applications using the vm module with timeout options.
💻 Affected Systems
- Node.js
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote attackers could extract sensitive in-memory secrets (API keys, passwords, tokens) or corrupt application data, leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
In-process data leakage affecting confidentiality of sensitive information stored in memory buffers.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if vm module is not used or timeout options are disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation depends on specific timing conditions and workload patterns; not trivial to exploit reliably.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Node.js December 2025 security releases for exact version numbers.
Vendor Advisory: https://nodejs.org/en/blog/vulnerability/december-2025-security-releases
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check current Node.js version. 2. Update to patched version from December 2025 security releases. 3. Restart all Node.js applications and services.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vm module timeout options
allAvoid using timeout options with the vm module to prevent the allocation interruption condition.
Review and modify code to remove timeout parameters from vm module usage
Restrict vm module usage
allLimit or disable use of the vm module in applications where it's not essential.
Implement code reviews to flag vm module usage
Use application-level controls to prevent vm module execution
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-controlled data
- Monitor for unusual memory access patterns and implement application-level memory isolation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Node.js version is within affected range and application uses vm module with timeout options.Check Version:
node --versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Node.js version is updated to patched release and restart applications.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual memory allocation patterns
- Unexpected vm module timeouts
- Application crashes related to buffer operations
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound data transfers from Node.js processes
- Anomalous request patterns triggering vm module execution
SIEM Query:
Process execution where command contains 'node' AND (event contains 'vm' OR event contains 'timeout') AND memory allocation anomalies detected