Vulnerability · Published Sep 28, 2022 · Assigned by GitHub_M
CVE-2022-39251Matrix Javascript SDK vulnerable to Olm/Megolm protocol confusion
High 8.6
In plain English
A high-severity improper authentication in matrix-js-sdk from matrix-org. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 1.2% (higher than 68% of all known vulnerabilities). Fixed versions are available - upgrade the affected package.
Official description
Matrix Javascript SDK is the Matrix Client-Server SDK for JavaScript. Prior to version 19.7.0, an attacker cooperating with a malicious homeserver can construct messages that legitimately appear to have come from another person, without any indication such as a grey shield. Additionally, a sophisticated attacker cooperating with a malicious homeserver could employ this vulnerability to perform a targeted attack in order to send fake to-device messages appearing to originate from another user. This can allow, for example, to inject the key backup secret during a self-verification, to make a targeted device start using a malicious key backup spoofed by the homeserver. These attacks are possible due to a protocol confusion vulnerability that accepts to-device messages encrypted with Megolm instead of Olm. Starting with version 19.7.0, matrix-js-sdk has been modified to only accept Olm-encrypted to-device messages. Out of caution, several other checks have been audited or added. This attack requires coordination between a malicious home server and an attacker, so those who trust their home servers do not need a workaround.
Affected packages & fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux:8 | thunderbird | 102.4.0-1.el8_6.alma | ALSA-2022:7190 |
| AlmaLinux:9 | thunderbird | 102.4.0-1.el9_0.alma | ALSA-2022:7178 |
| Alpine:v3.20 | element-web | 1.11.7-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Alpine:v3.21 | element-web | 1.11.7-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Alpine:v3.22 | element-web | 1.11.7-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Alpine:v3.23 | element-web | 1.11.7-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Alpine:v3.24 | element-web | 1.11.7-r0 | ALPINE-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | thunderbird | 0:102.4.0-1.el8_6.0.1 | RLSA-2022:7190 |
| Rocky Linux:8 | thunderbird | 0:102.4.0-1.el8_6 | RLSA-2022:7190 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | node-matrix-js-sdk | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | node-matrix-js-sdk | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | thunderbird | 1:102.4.2+build2-0ubuntu0.22.04.1 | UBUNTU-CVE-2022-39251 |
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | thunderbird | 1:102.4.2+build2-0ubuntu0.22.04.1 | USN-5724-1 |
| npm | matrix-js-sdk | 19.7.0 | GHSA-r48r-j8fx-mq2c |
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| matrix-org | matrix-js-sdk | < 19.7.0 |
Weakness: CWE-322, CWE-287 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N
References
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/commit/a587d7c36026fe1fcf93dfff63588abee359be76
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/releases/tag/v19.7.0
- https://matrix.org/blog/2022/09/28/upgrade-now-to-address-encryption-vulns-in-matrix-sdks-and-clients
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-r48r-j8fx-mq2c
- GLSA-202210-35 vendor-advisory