CVE-2023-29529: Matrix js sdk Matrix-js-sdk Vulnerable To Invisible Eavesdropping Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-6g67-q39g-r79q
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CVSS 5.0
CWE-862
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-29529 is a MODERATE (CVSS 5.0) matrix-js-sdk vulnerable to invisible eavesdropping vulnerability (CWE-862: Missing Authorization) affecting Matrix js sdk libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves matrix-js-sdk vulnerable to invisible eavesdropping in group calls. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 24.1.0.

CVE-2023-29529 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-29529
GHSA Identifier GHSA-6g67-q39g-r79q
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 5.0
CWE Classification CWE-862: Missing Authorization
Affected Product Matrix js sdk
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 5.0

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:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality Low (C:L)
Integrity None (I:N)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2023-29529

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Matrix js sdk 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-js-sdk fixed: 24.1.0 
npm install matrix-js-sdk@24.1.0
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-js-sdk

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2023-29529, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls matrix-js-sdk

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Matrix js sdk in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 24.1.0), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls matrix-js-sdk 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-862: Missing Authorization, where the product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. In Matrix js sdk, 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

### Impact An attacker present in a room where an [MSC3401](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3401) group call is taking place can eavesdrop on the video and audio of participants using matrix-js-sdk, without their knowledge. To affected matrix-js-sdk users, the attacker will not appear to be participating in the call. This attack is possible because matrix-js-sdk's group call implementation accepts incoming direct calls from other users, even if they have not yet declared intent to participate in the group call, as a means of resolving a race condition in call setup. Affected versions do not restrict access to the user's outbound media in this case. Legacy 1:1 calls are unaffected. ### Workarounds Users may hold group calls in private rooms where only the exact users who are expected to participate in the call are present.

CVE-2023-29529 Affected Matrix js sdk Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
24.1.0
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
matrix-js-sdk
npm/matrix-js-sdk
npm
< 24.1.0
24.1.0

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-6g67-q39g-r79q
NVD — CVE-2023-29529 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29529
Matrix js sdk Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3401
Matrix js sdk Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk
Matrix js sdk Release RELEASE
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/releases/tag/v24.1.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-29529?
CVE-2023-29529 is a security vulnerability in Matrix js sdk involving matrix-js-sdk vulnerable to invisible eavesdropping in group calls under CWE-862: Missing Authorization.
Which Matrix js sdk versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 24.1.0 across affected packages: matrix-js-sdk.
What version fixes CVE-2023-29529?
Upgrading to 24.1.0 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is matrix-js-sdk affected?
Yes, matrix-js-sdk is affected in releases prior to 24.1.0. Upgrade your dependency to 24.1.0 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-29529?
CVE-2023-29529 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.0 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-29529?
CVE-2023-29529 is classified under CWE-862: Missing Authorization (The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2023-29529?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls matrix-js-sdk'. 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-6g67-q39g-r79q",
  "modified" : "2023-04-25T16:35:38Z",
  "published" : "2023-04-14T16:14:17Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-29529" ],
  "summary" : "matrix-js-sdk vulnerable to invisible eavesdropping in group calls",
  "details" : "### Impact\n\nAn attacker present in a room where an [MSC3401](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3401) group call is taking place can eavesdrop on the video and audio of participants using matrix-js-sdk, without their knowledge. To affected matrix-js-sdk users, the attacker will not appear to be participating in the call.\n\nThis attack is possible because matrix-js-sdk's group call implementation accepts incoming direct calls from other users, even if they have not yet declared intent to participate in the group call, as a means of resolving a race condition in call setup. Affected versions do not restrict access to the user's outbound media in this case.\n\nLegacy 1:1 calls are unaffected.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nUsers may hold group calls in private rooms where only the exact users who are expected to participate in the call are present.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "matrix-js-sdk"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "24.1.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-6g67-q39g-r79q"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-29529"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3401"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/releases/tag/v24.1.0"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-862" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-04-14T16:14:17Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-04-14T19:15:00Z"
  }
}