Severity by source
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from GitHub Advisory.
CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Lifecycle Timeline
4DescriptionGitHub Advisory
Wasmtime is a runtime for WebAssembly. From 25.0.0 to before 36.0.7, 42.0.2, and 43.0.1, Wasmtime with its Winch (baseline) non-default compiler backend may allow properly constructed guest Wasm to access host memory outside of its linear-memory sandbox. This vulnerability requires use of the Winch compiler (-Ccompiler=winch). By default, Wasmtime uses its Cranelift backend, not Winch. With Winch, the same incorrect assumption is present in theory on both aarch64 and x86-64. The aarch64 case has an observed-working proof of concept, while the x86-64 case is theoretical and may not be reachable in practice. This Winch compiler bug can allow the Wasm guest to access memory before or after the linear-memory region, independently of whether pre- or post-guard regions are configured. The accessible range in the initial bug proof-of-concept is up to 32KiB before the start of memory, or ~4GiB after the start of memory, independently of the size of pre- or post-guard regions or the use of explicit or guard-region-based bounds checking. However, the underlying bug assumes a 32-bit memory offset stored in a 64-bit register has its upper bits cleared when it may not, and so closely related variants of the initial proof-of-concept may be able to access truly arbitrary memory in-process. This could result in a host process segmentation fault (DoS), an arbitrary data leak from the host process, or with a write, potentially an arbitrary RCE. This vulnerability is fixed in 36.0.7, 42.0.2, and 43.0.1.
AnalysisAI
Memory sandbox escape in Wasmtime's Winch compiler (versions 25.0.0 to before 36.0.7, 42.0.2, 43.0.1) enables authenticated WebAssembly guests to access arbitrary host process memory outside linear-memory boundaries. Exploitation requires non-default Winch backend activation via -Ccompiler=winch flag. Attackers can read up to 32KiB before memory start or ~4GiB after, with theoretical potential for unlimited in-process memory access due to improper 32-bit offset handling in 64-bit registers. Consequences include host process crashes (DoS), sensitive data exfiltration, or remote code execution through memory writes. Affects aarch64 (confirmed PoC) and x86-64 (theoretical). Publicly available exploit code exists.
Technical ContextAI
CWE-125 out-of-bounds read stems from Winch compiler's failure to clear upper 32 bits of 64-bit registers holding memory offsets, violating sandbox assumptions. Unlike default Cranelift backend, Winch incorrectly trusts zero-extension of 32-bit Wasm offsets, enabling offset manipulation to bypass guard-region protections on both architectures. Proof-of-concept demonstrates reliable aarch64 exploitation; x86-64 variant remains unconfirmed.
RemediationAI
Vendor-released patches: upgrade to Wasmtime 36.0.7, 42.0.2, or 43.0.1 immediately. Organizations unable to patch must disable Winch compiler by removing -Ccompiler=winch flag or switching to default Cranelift backend. Verify compiler configuration in deployment scripts and CI/CD pipelines. Monitor process memory access patterns for anomalous behavior. For containerized Wasmtime deployments, enforce strict memory limits and apply security policies restricting compiler backend selection. Advisory URL: https://github.com/bytecodealliance/wasmtime/security/advisories/GHSA-xx5w-cvp6-jv83. No workaround exists for environments requiring Winch; patching is mandatory to eliminate sandbox escape risk.
Same weakness CWE-125 – Out-of-bounds Read
View allSame technique Information Disclosure
View allVendor StatusVendor
SUSE
Severity: Critical| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.1 | Fixed |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications 16.1 | Fixed |
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External POC / Exploit Code
Leaving vuln.today
EUVD-2026-21031
GHSA-xx5w-cvp6-jv83