CVE-2023-37259: Matrix react sdk Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-c9vx-2g7w-rp65
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CVSS 6.1
CWE-80 CWE-79
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2023-37259 is a MODERATE (CVSS 6.1) cross-site scripting vulnerability (CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS)) affecting Matrix react sdk libraries in the npm ecosystem. The issue involves matrix-react-sdk vulnerable to xss in export chat feature. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 3.76.0.

CVE-2023-37259 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2023-37259
GHSA Identifier GHSA-c9vx-2g7w-rp65
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 6.1
CWE Classification CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS)
Affected Product Matrix react sdk
Package Ecosystem npm
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 6.1

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

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

How to Fix CVE-2023-37259

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Matrix react 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-react-sdk fixed: 3.76.0 
npm install matrix-react-sdk@3.76.0
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-react-sdk

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Node.js application is affected by CVE-2023-37259, inspect your project dependencies using npm:

npm ls matrix-react-sdk

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Matrix react sdk in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 3.76.0), your application is affected.

Note: The npm ls matrix-react-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-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS), where the product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as "<", ">", and "&" that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages. In Matrix react 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

### Description The Export Chat feature includes certain attacker-controlled elements in the generated document without sufficient escaping, leading to stored XSS. ### Impact Since the Export Chat feature generates a separate document, an attacker can only inject code run from the `null` origin, restricting the impact. However, the attacker can still potentially use the XSS to leak message contents. A malicious homeserver is a potential attacker since the affected inputs are controllable server-side. ### Patches This was patched in matrix-react-sdk 3.76.0. ### Workarounds None, other than not using the Export Chat feature. ### References N/A

CVE-2023-37259 Affected Matrix react sdk Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
3.76.0
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
matrix-react-sdk
npm/matrix-react-sdk
npm
≥ 3.32.0
< 3.76.0
3.76.0

References

GitHub Advisory / Wiki ADVISORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-c9vx-2g7w-rp65
NVD — CVE-2023-37259 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37259
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk/commit/22fcd34c606f32129ebc967fc21f24fb708a98b8
Matrix react sdk Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk
Matrix react sdk Release RELEASE
https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk/releases/tag/v3.76.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2023-37259?
CVE-2023-37259 is a security vulnerability in Matrix react sdk involving matrix-react-sdk vulnerable to XSS in Export Chat feature under CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS).
Which Matrix react sdk versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 3.76.0 across affected packages: matrix-react-sdk.
What version fixes CVE-2023-37259?
Upgrading to 3.76.0 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is matrix-react-sdk affected?
Yes, matrix-react-sdk is affected in releases prior to 3.76.0. Upgrade your dependency to 3.76.0 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2023-37259?
CVE-2023-37259 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.1 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2023-37259?
CVE-2023-37259 is classified under CWE-80: Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) (The product receives input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special characters such as "<", ">", and "&" that could be interpreted as web-scripting elements when they are sent to a downstream component that processes web pages.).
How can I check npm dependencies for CVE-2023-37259?
Run the dependency tree command: 'npm ls matrix-react-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-c9vx-2g7w-rp65",
  "modified" : "2023-07-19T20:04:38Z",
  "published" : "2023-07-18T16:58:01Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2023-37259" ],
  "summary" : "matrix-react-sdk vulnerable to XSS in Export Chat feature",
  "details" : "### Description\n\nThe Export Chat feature includes certain attacker-controlled elements in the generated document without sufficient escaping, leading to stored XSS.\n\n### Impact\n\nSince the Export Chat feature generates a separate document, an attacker can only inject code run from the `null` origin, restricting the impact.\n\nHowever, the attacker can still potentially use the XSS to leak message contents. A malicious homeserver is a potential attacker since the affected inputs are controllable server-side.\n\n### Patches\nThis was patched in matrix-react-sdk 3.76.0.\n\n### Workarounds\nNone, other than not using the Export Chat feature.\n\n### References\nN/A\n",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "npm",
      "name" : "matrix-react-sdk"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "3.32.0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "3.76.0"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-c9vx-2g7w-rp65"
  }, {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37259"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk/commit/22fcd34c606f32129ebc967fc21f24fb708a98b8"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk/releases/tag/v3.76.0"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-79", "CWE-80" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-07-18T16:58:01Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2023-07-18T17:15:11Z"
  }
}