CVE-2024-50336: Matrix js sdk Path Traversal Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-xvg8-m4x3-w6xr
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CWE-22
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2024-50336 is a MODERATE path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')) affecting Matrix js sdk libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves matrix-js-sdk has insufficient mxc uri validation which allows client-side path traversal. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 34.11.1.

CVE-2024-50336 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2024-50336
GHSA Identifier GHSA-xvg8-m4x3-w6xr
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Affected Product Matrix js sdk
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2024-50336

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: 34.11.1 
npm install matrix-js-sdk@34.11.1
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-2024-50336, 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 34.11.1), 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-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal'), where the product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory. 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

### Summary matrix-js-sdk before 34.11.0 is vulnerable to client-side path traversal via crafted MXC URIs. A malicious room member can trigger clients based on the matrix-js-sdk to issue arbitrary authenticated GET requests to the client's homeserver. ### Details The Matrix specification demands homeservers to [perform validation](https://spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server-api/#security-considerations-5) of the `server-name` and `media-id` components of MXC URIs with the intent to prevent path traversal. However, it is not mentioned that a similar check must also be performed on the client to prevent *client-side* path traversal. matrix-js-sdk fails to perform this validation. ### Patches Fixed in matrix-js-sdk 34.11.1. ### Workarounds None. ### References - https://spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server-api/#security-considerations-5 - https://blog.doyensec.com/2024/07/02/cspt2csrf.html

CVE-2024-50336 Affected Matrix js sdk Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
34.11.1
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
matrix-js-sdk
npm/matrix-js-sdk
npm
< 34.11.1
34.11.1

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-xvg8-m4x3-w6xr
NVD — CVE-2024-50336 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-50336
Matrix js sdk Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce... WEB
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00004.html
spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server... WEB
https://spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server-api/#security-considerations-5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-50336?
CVE-2024-50336 is a security vulnerability in Matrix js sdk involving matrix-js-sdk has insufficient MXC URI validation which allows client-side path traversal under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal').
Which Matrix js sdk versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 34.11.1 across affected packages: matrix-js-sdk.
What version fixes CVE-2024-50336?
Upgrading to 34.11.1 (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 34.11.1. Upgrade your dependency to 34.11.1 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2024-50336?
CVE-2024-50336 is classified under CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') (The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2024-50336?
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-xvg8-m4x3-w6xr",
  "modified" : "2025-11-04T16:53:54Z",
  "published" : "2024-11-12T19:54:38Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2024-50336" ],
  "summary" : "matrix-js-sdk has insufficient MXC URI validation which allows client-side path traversal",
  "details" : "### Summary\n\nmatrix-js-sdk before 34.11.0 is vulnerable to client-side path traversal via crafted MXC URIs. A malicious room member can trigger clients based on the matrix-js-sdk to issue arbitrary authenticated GET requests to the client's homeserver.\n\n### Details\n\nThe Matrix specification demands homeservers to [perform validation](https://spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server-api/#security-considerations-5) of the `server-name` and `media-id` components of MXC URIs with the intent to prevent path traversal. However, it is not mentioned that a similar check must also be performed on the client to prevent *client-side* path traversal. matrix-js-sdk fails to perform this validation.\n\n### Patches\n\nFixed in matrix-js-sdk 34.11.1.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nNone.\n\n### References\n\n- https://spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server-api/#security-considerations-5\n- https://blog.doyensec.com/2024/07/02/cspt2csrf.html",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:N/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:L/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "matrix-js-sdk"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "34.11.1"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-xvg8-m4x3-w6xr"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-50336"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-js-sdk"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00004.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://spec.matrix.org/v1.12/client-server-api/#security-considerations-5"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-22" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-11-12T19:54:38Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2024-11-12T17:15:09Z"
  }
}