Rapid7 Vulnerability & Exploit Database

Red Hat: CVE-2022-39249: CVE-2022-39249 Mozilla: Matrix SDK bundled with Thunderbird vulnerable to an impersonation attack by malicious server administrators (Multiple Advisories)

Free InsightVM Trial No Credit Card Necessary
Watch Demo See how it all works
Back to Search

Red Hat: CVE-2022-39249: CVE-2022-39249 Mozilla: Matrix SDK bundled with Thunderbird vulnerable to an impersonation attack by malicious server administrators (Multiple Advisories)

Severity
4
CVSS
(AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P)
Published
09/28/2022
Created
10/26/2022
Added
10/26/2022
Modified
12/15/2023

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 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.

Solution(s)

  • redhat-upgrade-thunderbird
  • redhat-upgrade-thunderbird-debuginfo
  • redhat-upgrade-thunderbird-debugsource

With Rapid7 live dashboards, I have a clear view of all the assets on my network, which ones can be exploited, and what I need to do in order to reduce the risk in my environment in real-time. No other tool gives us that kind of value and insight.

– Scott Cheney, Manager of Information Security, Sierra View Medical Center

;