CVE-2022-39251 Matrix Javascript SDK vulnerable to Olm/Megolm protocol confusion
Attackers can spoof messages and inject malicious key backups by exploiting protocol confusion in the Matrix JavaScript SDK.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2022-39251?
CVE-2022-39251 is a high-severity vulnerability in matrix-org matrix-js-sdk, published on 28 Sep 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
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.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-39251?
2 open source packages ship an affected version, including matrix-js-sdk. It affects 1 product.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
matrix-js-sdk npm | All versions | 19.7.0 |
matrix-js-sdk npm | All versions | 19.7.0 |
Products include Matrix Javascript Sdk.
How do I fix CVE-2022-39251?
Upgrade matrix-js-sdk to 19.7.0 or later.
Is CVE-2022-39251 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-39251 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in matrix-org matrix-js-sdk
- CVE-2022-39250 Matrix JavaScript SDK vulnerable to key/device identifier confusion in SAS verification
- CVE-2022-36059 Prototype pollution in matrix-js-sdk
- CVE-2023-28427 Prototype pollution in matrix-js-sdk
- CVE-2022-39249 Matrix Javascript SDK vulnerable to impersonation via forwarded Megolm sessions
- CVE-2021-40823 matrix-js-sdk can be tricked into disclosing E2EE room keys to a participating homeserver
Sources
Also known as CLEANSTART-2024-VR88487, DEBIAN-CVE-2022-39251, GHSA-r48r-j8fx-mq2c, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-39251.