Matrix iOS SDK vulnerable to impersonation via forwarded Megolm sessions
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-287.
Summary
Matrix iOS SDK allows developers to build iOS apps compatible with Matrix. Prior to version 0.23.19, an attacker cooperating with a malicious homeserver can construct messages appearing to have come from another person. Such messages will be marked with a grey shield on some platforms, but this may be missing in others. This attack is possible due to the matrix-ios-sdk implementing a too permissive key forwarding strategy. The default policy for accepting key forwards has been made more strict in the matrix-ios-sdk version 0.23.19. matrix-ios-sdk will now only accept forwarded keys in response to previously issued requests and only from own, verified devices. The SDK now sets a `trusted` flag on the decrypted message upon decryption, based on whether the key used to decrypt the message was received from a trusted source. Clients need to ensure that messages decrypted with a key with `trusted = false` are decorated appropriately (for example, by showing a warning for such messages). This attack requires coordination between a malicious home server and an attacker, so those who trust their home servers do not need a workaround.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- Yes
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| matrix-org | matrix-ios-sdk | before 0.23.19 | 0.23.19 | Patch available | CNA |
- matrix-ios-sdk Vendormatrix-org Affected before 0.23.19 Fixed in 0.23.19 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:matrix:software_development_kit:*:*:*:*:*:iphone_os:*:* | before 0.23.19 | Vulnerable | matrix-org |
- cpe:2.3:a:matrix:software_development_kit:*:*:*:*:*:iphone_os:*:* Versions before 0.23.19 Vulnerable ·matrix-org
Remediation
- Fix · CNA matrix-ios-sdk (matrix-org) Fixed in 0.23.19
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2022-39257
References
More matrix-org Software Development Kit vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-18631 Matrix iOS SDK vulnerable ton Olm/Megolm protocol confusion CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
- TI-2022-18624 matrix-android-sdk2 vulnerable to Olm/Megolm protocol confusion CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
- TI-2022-18623 matrix-android-sdk2 vulnerable to impersonation via forwarded Megolm sessions CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences