safer-eval

a safer eval

A safer approach for eval in node and browser. Before using this module, ask yourself if there are no better options than using saferEval. It is potentially better than the bad old eval() but still has some harmful potential. Especially when it comes to passing context props. Use clones to wrap-up the methods you like to allow. Checkout the "harmful context" tests section.

Warning: The saferEval function may be harmful - so you are warned!

In node the vm module is used to sandbox the evaluation of code.

The browser version browser.js might not be as safe as the node version index.js as here no real sandboxing is available. Please consider modules like sandboxr.

Runs on node and in modern browsers:

Installation

npm install --save safer-eval

Implementation recommendations

Use strict mode

Always use 'use strict' mode in functions/ files calling saferEval(). Otherwise a sandbox breakout may be possible.

'use strict'
const saferEval = require('safer-eval')

function main () {
  'use strict' //< alternative within function
  const res = saferEval('new Date()')
  ...
}

Run in worker

Be aware that a

saferEval('(function () { while (true) {} })()')

may run infinitely. Consider using the module from within a worker thread which is terminated after timeout.

Avoid context props

Avoid passing context props while deserializing data from hostile environments.

Usage

context allows the definition of passed in Objects into the sandbox. Take care, injected code can overwrite those passed context props! Check the tests under "harmful context"!

Parameters

code: String, a string containing javascript code

context: Object, define globals, properties for evaluation context

Returns: Any, evaluated code

Example:

in node:

'use strict' //< NEVER FORGET TO ADD STRICT MODE in file/ function
             //< running `saferEval`
const saferEval = require('safer-eval')
const code = `{d: new Date('1970-01-01'), b: new Buffer('data')}`
const res = saferEval(code)
// => toString.call(res.d) = '[object Date]'
// => toString.call(res.b) = '[object Buffer]'

in browser:

'use strict' //< NEVER FORGET TO ADD STRICT MODE in file/ function
             //< running `saferEval`
const saferEval = require('safer-eval')
const code = `{d: new Date('1970-01-01'), b: function () { return navigator.userAgent }`
const res = saferEval(code, {navigator: window.navigator})
// => toString.call(res.d) = '[object Date]'
// => toString.call(res.b) = '[object Function]'
// => res.b() = "Mozilla/5.0 (..."

To minimize any harmful code injection carefully select the methods you allow in context

const code = `window.btoa('Hello, world')`

// AVOID passing a GLOBAL context!!!
const res = saferEval(code, {window: window})

// BETTER - code needs only access to window.btoa
const clones = require('clones')
const context = {
  window: {
    btoa: clones(window.btoa, window)
  }
}
const res = saferEval(code ,context)
// => res = 'SGVsbG8sIHdvcmxk'

Reusing context

Use new SaferEval() to reuse a once created context.

'use strict' //< NEVER FORGET TO ADD STRICT MODE in file/ function
             //< running `saferEval`
const { SaferEval } = require('safer-eval')
const safer = new SaferEval()
const code = `{d: new Date('1970-01-01'), b: new Buffer('data')}`
const res = safer.runInContext(code)

License

MIT