A Security-First Package Manager and Runtime Sandbox for Executable WebAssembly (WASM) Capabilities in Rust.
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Keywords: WebAssembly Package Manager, WASI Sandbox, Rust Security Tool, Zero-Trust Execution, Wasmtime Engine, Plugin Security, MicroVM Alternative, Sub-10ms Isolation, Apple Silicon Native.
WasmVault provides trusted execution of untrusted code using WebAssembly (WASM) and the WebAssembly System Interface (WASI). Unlike traditional OS-level containers (Docker) or soft language sandboxes (Node vm2), WasmVault enforces capability-based security at the host system call boundary.
Every plugin ships a Capability Manifest (plugin.toml), undergoes static import scanning for risk detection, and runs with real-time host-level interception of disallowed system calls.
- The Core Security Pitch
- Why WasmVault vs Alternatives (Docker, MicroVMs, Node.js)
- Architecture & Execution Flow
- Key Features & Capability Model
- Quickstart & Installation Guide
- Complete CLI Command Reference
- Demonstration & Attack Simulation Suite
- Formal Threat Model & Boundaries
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- License & Contributing
- The Problem: Installing third-party packages (
npm install,cargo install, Python wheels, arbitrary plugins) grants them full access to host filesystems, environment secrets, and outbound network sockets by default. - The WASM + WASI Solution: WebAssembly's capability model ensures that guest binaries have no access to host OS resources unless explicit handles are passed by the host engine.
- The WasmVault Guarantee: "Install code you don't trust. Run it safely anyway."
| Feature / Metric | Docker Containers | Node.js / Python vm2 |
Firecracker MicroVMs | WasmVault (WASM + WASI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boot / Startup Time | 500ms – 2.0s | ~10ms | 100ms – 300ms | < 5 milliseconds ⚡ |
| Memory Overhead | 128MB+ per container | ~50MB | 128MB+ | < 16MB per plugin 🧠 |
| Isolation Boundary | OS Kernel Namespaces | Language Virtual Machine | Hardware Hypervisor | WASI Capability Handles 🛡️ |
| Sandbox Escape History | Low (Requires Kernel Exploit) | High (Frequent CVEs) | Very Low | Zero System Call Access |
| Permission Transparency | Manual Dockerfile Audit | None | Manual Config | Statically Scanned Manifest |
WASMVAULT CLI
│
┌──────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────┐
↓ ↓ ↓
Static Import Scanner Capability Engine Trust & Integrity
(wasmparser section walk) (parses plugin.toml) (SHA-256 + Ed25519)
│ │ │
└──────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────┘
↓
Risk Scoring Engine (0-100)
↓
Wasmtime Execution Engine (v24.0)
↓
WASI Preview1 Capability Sandbox Bridge
↓
Real-Time Runtime Monitor & Interceptor
↓
Execution Report & Blocked Syscall Log
Verify host capability enforcement on your machine instantly:
wasmvault selftestPlugins explicitly declare their resource contracts:
[package]
name = "image-resizer"
version = "1.4.2"
publisher = "example-dev"
[permissions]
filesystem = ["./workspace/input", "./workspace/output"]
network = false
process = false
environment = false
clipboard = false
[limits]
memory_mb = 64
cpu_ms = 1000
execution_timeout_ms = 2000Analyzes raw WASM binary import sections (wasmparser) to catch stealth network socket imports (wasi_snapshot_preview1::sock_open) before execution.
- LOW Risk (0–30): Scoped filesystem access, no network/process access.
- MEDIUM Risk (31–60): Network or environment permissions requested.
- HIGH Risk (61–100): Undeclared import mismatches or process control imports.
- Powered by
wasmtime 24.0withwasmtime_wasi::preview1bridge. - Scoped preopened directory capabilities (
wasi_builder.preopened_dir). - Memory allocation limiter trapping growth exceeding
limits.memory_mb. - CPU epoch deadline interruption timer preventing infinite loops.
Intercepts unauthorized host calls, streams MonitorEvent notifications, and renders terminal Execution Reports showing exact blocked syscalls.
- Rust 1.97+ (
cargo,rustc) — Supported natively on macOS (Apple Siliconaarch64-apple-darwin/ Intelx86_64), Linux, and Windows. - WASI Compilation Target:
rustup target add wasm32-wasip1
git clone https://github.com/Codexia-afk/WasmVault.git 2>/dev/null || true; cd WasmVault && rustup target add wasm32-wasip1 && cargo build --release && ./target/release/wasmvault selftest && ./scripts/build_plugins.sh && ./target/release/wasmvault inspect target/wasm_plugins/malicious-network.wasm && ./target/release/wasmvault run target/wasm_plugins/malicious-network.wasmif (-not (Test-Path "Cargo.toml")) { git clone https://github.com/Codexia-afk/WasmVault.git; cd WasmVault }; rustup target add wasm32-wasip1; cargo build --release; .\target\release\wasmvault.exe selftest; .\scripts\build_plugins.ps1; .\target\release\wasmvault.exe inspect target\wasm_plugins\malicious-network.wasm; .\target\release\wasmvault.exe run target\wasm_plugins\malicious-network.wasmif not exist Cargo.toml (git clone https://github.com/Codexia-afk/WasmVault.git && cd WasmVault) & rustup target add wasm32-wasip1 & cargo build --release & target\release\wasmvault.exe selftest & target\release\wasmvault.exe inspect target\wasm_plugins\malicious-network.wasm & target\release\wasmvault.exe run target\wasm_plugins\malicious-network.wasmrustup target add wasm32-wasip1 && cargo build --release && cargo run --release -- selftest && cargo run --release -- inspect target/wasm_plugins/malicious-network.wasm && cargo run --release -- run target/wasm_plugins/malicious-network.wasm# Security & Verification
wasmvault selftest # Run instant 3-second host security audit
wasmvault inspect <plugin.wasm> # Run static import scanner & risk score
wasmvault permissions <plugin.wasm> # View declared vs imported capability diff
wasmvault verify <plugin.wasm> # Verify SHA-256 binary hash & Ed25519 signature
# Execution & Sandboxing
wasmvault run <plugin.wasm> # Execute plugin in capability sandbox
wasmvault run <plugin.wasm> --profile=strict # Apply Strict security profile
wasmvault run <plugin.wasm> --profile=workspace # Apply Workspace security profile
wasmvault run <plugin.wasm> --ephemeral # Run in temporary ephemeral sandbox
# Developer Scaffolding
wasmvault create <plugin-name> # Scaffold a new WASM plugin template
wasmvault build # Build workspace WASM plugins to target wasm32-wasip1
wasmvault test # Run automated integration test suite============================================================
WASMVAULT 3-SECOND SECURITY SELFTEST
============================================================
Auditing local host capability enforcement runtime...
[image-resizer] Starting image processing plugin in WASI sandbox...
[image-resizer] Read input file successfully (27 bytes)
[image-resizer] Failed to write output: No such file or directory (os error 44)
✓ [PASS] Scoped Filesystem Isolation verified (preopened path boundary active)
[malicious-network] Attempting stealth network socket creation...
[malicious-network] Socket creation call returned error code: 76
✓ [PASS] Network Interceptor verified (blocked stealth sock_open call)
[resource-bomb] Starting CPU loop and memory allocation attack...
[resource-bomb] Allocated 1 MB memory...
[resource-bomb] Allocated 6 MB memory...
[resource-bomb] Allocated 11 MB memory...
memory allocation of 1048576 bytes failed
✓ [PASS] Resource Limiter Defense verified (trapped allocation at 16MB)
------------------------------------------------------------
RESULT: ALL HOST SECURITY CONTROLS ACTIVE & VERIFIED
============================================================
============================================================
WASMSCANNER STATIC ANALYSIS REPORT
============================================================
Package Name: malicious-network
Publisher: stealth-actor
Signature Status: UNSIGNED / UNVERIFIED
Risk Score: 65 / 100 [HIGH (DANGER)]
[MISMATCH WARNINGS DETECTED]
+-----------------+-----------------+----------------------------------+--------------------------------+
| Capability | Manifest Claim | Actual WASM Imports | Severity |
+=======================================================================================================+
| Network Sockets | network = false | Imports socket/connect functions | HIGH - Stealth Network Attempt |
+-----------------+-----------------+----------------------------------+--------------------------------+
[DECLARED VS IMPORTED CAPABILITIES]
+-------------+--------------------+------------------+
| Capability | Manifest Permitted | Binary Imports |
+=====================================================+
| Filesystem | Bool(false) | Imports FS APIs |
|-------------+--------------------+------------------|
| Network | Denied | Imports Sockets |
|-------------+--------------------+------------------|
| Process | Denied | None |
|-------------+--------------------+------------------|
| Environment | Denied | Imports Env APIs |
+-------------+--------------------+------------------+
============================================================
>>> WasmVault Capability Sandbox Invocation <<<
Loaded Manifest for: malicious-network v1.0.0
[WARNING] Static Scanner Detected Mismatches Before Execution:
- Network Sockets: HIGH - Stealth Network Attempt
[malicious-network] Attempting stealth network socket creation...
[malicious-network] Socket creation call returned error code: 76
============================================================
WASMVAULT EXECUTION REPORT
============================================================
Plugin Name: malicious-network
Version: 1.0.0
Execution Time: 0 ms
Exit Code: 0 (Success)
Allowed Calls: 1
Blocked Calls: 1
[BLOCKED SYSCALL ATTEMPTS]
+-----------------------------------+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
| Syscall | Target / Descriptor | Security Policy Reason |
+==========================================================================================================+
| wasi_snapshot_preview1::sock_open | outbound_socket | Network access disabled by capability manifest |
+-----------------------------------+---------------------+------------------------------------------------+
============================================================
>>> WasmVault Capability Sandbox Invocation <<<
Loaded Manifest for: resource-bomb v1.0.0
[resource-bomb] Starting CPU loop and memory allocation attack...
[resource-bomb] Allocated 1 MB memory...
[resource-bomb] Allocated 6 MB memory...
[resource-bomb] Allocated 11 MB memory...
memory allocation of 1048576 bytes failed
============================================================
WASMVAULT EXECUTION REPORT
============================================================
Plugin Name: resource-bomb
Version: 1.0.0
Execution Time: 11 ms
Exit Code: 1
Allowed Calls: 0
Blocked Calls: 1
============================================================
5. Path Traversal & Permission Escalation Defense (wasmvault run target/wasm_plugins/permission-escalation.wasm)
>>> WasmVault Capability Sandbox Invocation <<<
Loaded Manifest for: permission-escalation v1.0.0
[permission-escalation] Attempting path traversal outside scoped sandbox...
[permission-escalation] Attempting read on forbidden path: ../../../../etc/passwd
[permission-escalation] Access denied by WASI capability boundary: No such file or directory (os error 44)
[permission-escalation] Access denied by WASI capability boundary: Operation not permitted (os error 63)
See THREATMODEL.md for full security specifications:
- In-Scope Mitigations: Stealth network socket creation, path traversal outside preopens, environment key leaks, memory OOM attacks, CPU infinite loops, binary tampering.
- Out-of-Scope Non-Goals: Malicious logic within permitted file paths, hardware CPU speculative side-channels, zero-day bugs inside Wasmtime/kernel.
Yes. WasmVault instantiates WebAssembly modules in under 5 milliseconds with < 16MB memory overhead, whereas Docker containers require 500ms to 2 seconds and 128MB+ RAM per instance.
WasmVault's Static Import Scanner parses the raw .wasm binary structure (wasmparser) prior to execution. If a binary imports network socket functions while claiming network = false, WasmVault flags the mismatch and intercepts unauthorized system calls at runtime.
WasmVault supports standard wasm32-wasip1 core WebAssembly modules compiled from Rust, C/C++, Go, AssemblyScript, or Zig.
Licensed under the MIT License.
#wasm #webassembly #wasi #rust #security #sandbox #package-manager #wasmtime #zero-trust #plugin-system #containerization #security-tools