node-irc is a socket wrapper for the IRC protocol that extends Node.js’ EventEmitter. The vulnerability allows an attacker to manipulate a Matrix user into executing IRC commands by having them reply to a maliciously crafted message. Incorrect handling of a CR character allowed for making part of the message be sent to the IRC server verbatim rather than as a message to the channel.
The vulnerability has been patched in node-irc version 1.2.1.
References
- https://github.com/matrix-org/node-irc/security/advisories/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6
- https://matrix.org/blog/2022/05/04/0-34-0-security-release-for-matrix-appservice-irc-high-severity
- https://github.com/matrix-org/node-irc/commit/2976c856df37660a9d664e94c857c796de2e34f7
- https://github.com/matrix-org/node-irc/commit/e3eb9c15f8240e9c92365f5ffc3944469229771b
- https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-52rh-5rpj-c3w6