CVE-2022-29166: Matrix appservice irc Improper Handling Of Multiline Messages Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-37hr-348p-rmf4
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CVSS 8.0
CWE-74
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2022-29166 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.0) improper handling of multiline messages vulnerability (CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')) affecting Matrix appservice irc libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves improper handling of multiline messages in node-irc affects matrix-appservice-irc. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 0.33.2.

CVE-2022-29166 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2022-29166
GHSA Identifier GHSA-37hr-348p-rmf4
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.0
CWE Classification CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
Affected Product Matrix appservice irc
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.0

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction Required (UI:R)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2022-29166

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Matrix appservice irc dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

matrix-appservice-irc fixed: 0.33.2 
npm install matrix-appservice-irc@0.33.2
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

npm ls matrix-appservice-irc

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2022-29166, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls matrix-appservice-irc

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Matrix appservice irc in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 0.33.2), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls matrix-appservice-irc command inspects dependencies declared in your package.json and lockfile; it does not perform automated runtime dynamic scanning.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component. In Matrix appservice irc, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

matrix-appservice-irc provides an IRC bridge for Matrix. The vulnerability in node-irc allows an attacker to manipulate a Matrix user into executing IRC commands by having them reply to a maliciously crafted message. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.33.2. In terms of a workaround, users should refrain from replying to messages from untrusted participants in IRC-bridged Matrix rooms.

CVE-2022-29166 Affected Matrix appservice irc Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
0.33.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
matrix-appservice-irc
npm/matrix-appservice-irc
npm
< 0.33.2
0.33.2

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-appservice-irc/security/advisories/GHSA-37hr-348p-rmf4
GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/node-irc/security/advisories/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6
NVD — CVE-2022-29166 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29166
Matrix appservice irc Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-appservice-irc
Matrix appservice irc Release RELEASE
https://matrix.org/blog/2022/05/04/0-34-0-security-release-for-matrix-appservice-irc-high-severity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-29166?
CVE-2022-29166 is a security vulnerability in Matrix appservice irc involving Improper handling of multiline messages in node-irc affects matrix-appservice-irc under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection').
Which Matrix appservice irc versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 0.33.2 across affected packages: matrix-appservice-irc.
What version fixes CVE-2022-29166?
Upgrading to 0.33.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is matrix-appservice-irc affected?
Yes, matrix-appservice-irc is affected in releases prior to 0.33.2. Upgrade your dependency to 0.33.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2022-29166?
CVE-2022-29166 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.0 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2022-29166?
CVE-2022-29166 is classified under CWE-74: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2022-29166?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls matrix-appservice-irc'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-37hr-348p-rmf4",
  "modified" : "2022-05-23T20:17:07Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-23T20:17:07Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2022-29166" ],
  "summary" : "Improper handling of multiline messages in node-irc affects matrix-appservice-irc",
  "details" : "matrix-appservice-irc provides an IRC bridge for Matrix. The vulnerability in node-irc allows an attacker to manipulate a Matrix user into executing IRC commands by having them reply to a maliciously crafted message. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.33.2. In terms of a workaround, users should refrain from replying to messages from untrusted participants in IRC-bridged Matrix rooms. ",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "matrix-appservice-irc"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "0.33.2"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 0.33.1"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-appservice-irc/security/advisories/GHSA-37hr-348p-rmf4"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/node-irc/security/advisories/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-29166"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-appservice-irc"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://matrix.org/blog/2022/05/04/0-34-0-security-release-for-matrix-appservice-irc-high-severity"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-74" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-05-23T20:17:07Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2022-05-05T23:15:00Z"
  }
}