Matrix Javascript SDK vulnerable to Olm/Megolm protocol confusion
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.
AI Insight
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Affected packages
Versions sourced from the GitHub Security Advisory.
| Package | Affected versions | Patched versions |
|---|---|---|
matrix-js-sdknpm | < 19.7.0 | 19.7.0 |
Affected products
12- ghsa-coords11 versionspkg:npm/matrix-js-sdkpkg:rpm/almalinux/thunderbirdpkg:rpm/opensuse/element-desktop&distro=openSUSE%20Tumbleweedpkg:rpm/opensuse/element-web&distro=openSUSE%20Tumbleweedpkg:rpm/opensuse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=openSUSE%20Leap%2015.3pkg:rpm/opensuse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=openSUSE%20Leap%2015.4pkg:rpm/opensuse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=openSUSE%20Tumbleweedpkg:rpm/suse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=SUSE%20Linux%20Enterprise%20Module%20for%20Package%20Hub%2015%20SP3pkg:rpm/suse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=SUSE%20Linux%20Enterprise%20Module%20for%20Package%20Hub%2015%20SP4pkg:rpm/suse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=SUSE%20Linux%20Enterprise%20Workstation%20Extension%2015%20SP3pkg:rpm/suse/MozillaThunderbird&distro=SUSE%20Linux%20Enterprise%20Workstation%20Extension%2015%20SP4
< 19.7.0+ 10 more
- (no CPE)range: < 19.7.0
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-1.el9_0.alma
- (no CPE)range: < 1.11.8-1.1
- (no CPE)range: < 1.11.8-1.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-150200.8.85.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-150200.8.85.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.3.1-1.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-150200.8.85.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-150200.8.85.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-150200.8.85.1
- (no CPE)range: < 102.4.0-150200.8.85.1
- Range: < 19.7.0
Patches
Vulnerability mechanics
References
7- github.com/advisories/GHSA-r48r-j8fx-mq2cghsaADVISORY
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39251ghsaADVISORY
- security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-35ghsavendor-advisoryWEB
- github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/commit/a587d7c36026fe1fcf93dfff63588abee359be76ghsaWEB
- github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/releases/tag/v19.7.0ghsaWEB
- github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-r48r-j8fx-mq2cghsaWEB
- matrix.org/blog/2022/09/28/upgrade-now-to-address-encryption-vulns-in-matrix-sdks-and-clientsghsaWEB
News mentions
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