# GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6: Improper handling of multiline messages in node-irc

> An attacker can inject IRC commands by exploiting improper CR character handling in node-irc, requiring a user to reply to a malicious message.

- **Severity:** Not scored
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 5 May 2022

## What is GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6?

GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6 is a command injection vulnerability in matrix-org-irc, published on 5 May 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

node-irc is a socket wrapper for the IRC protocol that extends Node.js' EventEmitter. The vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate a Matrix user into executing IRC commands by having them reply to a maliciously crafted message. Incorrect handling of a CR character allowed for making part of the message be sent to the IRC server verbatim rather than as a message to the channel.
The vulnerability has been patched in node-irc version 1.2.1.

## Which versions are affected by GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including matrix-org-irc.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `matrix-org-irc` | npm | All versions | 1.2.1 |
| `matrix-org-irc` | npm | All versions | 1.2.1 |

## How do I fix GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6?

Upgrade matrix-org-irc to 1.2.1 or later.

## Is GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6 is a command injection vulnerability in matrix-org-irc, published on 5 May 2022. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- matrix-org-irc (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 1.2.1
- matrix-org-irc (npm): affected all versions; fixed in 1.2.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6/index.md)
```

## Sources

- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.