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 appearing to have come from another person. Such messages will be marked with a grey shield on some platforms, but this may be missing in others. This attack is possible due to the matrix-js-sdk implementing a too permissive key forwarding strategy on the receiving end. Starting with version 19.7.0, the default policy for accepting key forwards has been made more strict in the matrix-js-sdk. matrix-js-sdk will now only accept forwarded keys in response to previously issued requests and only from own, verified devices. The SDK now sets a trusted flag on the decrypted message upon decryption, based on whether the key used to decrypt the message was received from a trusted source. Clients need to ensure that messages decrypted with a key with trusted = false are decorated appropriately, for example, by showing a warning for such messages. This attack requires coordination between a malicious homeserver and an attacker, and those who trust your homeservers do not need a workaround.
Weakness
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
Affected Software
| Name | Vendor | Start Version | End Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Javascript_sdk | Matrix | * | 19.7.0 (excluding) |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | RedHat | thunderbird-0:102.4.0-1.el7_9 | * |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | RedHat | thunderbird-0:102.4.0-1.el8_6 | * |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.1 Update Services for SAP Solutions | RedHat | thunderbird-0:102.4.0-1.el8_1 | * |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 Extended Update Support | RedHat | thunderbird-0:102.4.0-1.el8_2 | * |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.4 Extended Update Support | RedHat | thunderbird-0:102.4.0-1.el8_4 | * |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | RedHat | thunderbird-0:102.4.0-1.el9_0 | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | focal | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | kinetic | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | lunar | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | mantic | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | oracular | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | trusty | * |
| Node-matrix-js-sdk | Ubuntu | xenial | * |
| Thunderbird | Ubuntu | bionic | * |
| Thunderbird | Ubuntu | focal | * |
| Thunderbird | Ubuntu | jammy | * |
| Thunderbird | Ubuntu | kinetic | * |
| Thunderbird | Ubuntu | trusty | * |
| Thunderbird | Ubuntu | xenial | * |
Potential Mitigations
Related Attack Patterns
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/114.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/115.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/151.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/194.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/22.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/57.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/593.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/633.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/650.html
- https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/94.html
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://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-6263-x97c-c4gg
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3061
- https://matrix.org/blog/2022/09/28/upgrade-now-to-address-encryption-vulns-in-matrix-sdks-and-clients
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-35
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/commit/a587d7c36026fe1fcf93dfff63588abee359be76
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/releases/tag/v19.7.0
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-6263-x97c-c4gg
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3061
- https://matrix.org/blog/2022/09/28/upgrade-now-to-address-encryption-vulns-in-matrix-sdks-and-clients
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202210-35