CVE-2022-39202
IRC mode parameter confusion in matrix-appservice-irc
matrix-appservice-irc is an open source Node.js IRC bridge for Matrix. The Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions. Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0. As a workaround users should refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- High
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- Low
- Availability
- Low
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
IRC mode parameter confusion in matrix-appservice-irc
matrix-appservice-irc is an open source Node.js IRC bridge for Matrix. The Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions. Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0. As a workaround users should refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
- Record
CVE-2022-39202- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-269
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2022-6782
matrix-appservice-irc is an open source Node.js IRC bridge for Matrix. The Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions. Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0. As a workaround users should refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
- Record
EUVD-2022-6782- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-cq7q-5c67-w39w
matrix-appservice-irc vulnerable to IRC mode parameter confusion
Impact
IRC allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions.
Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker.
Patches
The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0.
Workarounds
Refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
References
Credits
Discovered and reported by Val Lorentz.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory email us at [email protected].
- Record
GHSA-cq7q-5c67-w39w- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-269
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
matrix-appservice-irc is an open source Node.js IRC bridge for Matrix. The Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions. Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0. As a workaround users should refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
- Record
CVE-2022-39202- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - CVSS 3.1
- 6.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-269
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
IRC mode parameter confusion in matrix-appservice-irc
matrix-appservice-irc is an open source Node.js IRC bridge for Matrix. The Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions. Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker. The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0. As a workaround users should refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
- Record
CVE-2022-39202- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-269
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-cq7q-5c67-w39w
matrix-appservice-irc vulnerable to IRC mode parameter confusion
Impact
IRC allows you to specify multiple modes in a single mode command. Due to a bug in the underlying matrix-org/node-irc library, affected versions of matrix-appservice-irc perform parsing of such modes incorrectly, potentially resulting in the wrong user being given permissions.
Mode commands can only be executed by privileged users, so this can only be abused if an operator is tricked into running the command on behalf of an attacker.
Patches
The vulnerability has been patched in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0.
Workarounds
Refrain from entering mode commands suggested by untrusted users. Avoid using multiple modes in a single command.
References
Credits
Discovered and reported by Val Lorentz.
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory email us at [email protected].
- Record
GHSA-cq7q-5c67-w39w- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L - Weakness
- CWE-269
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
matrix-appservice-ircnpm |
before 0.35.0 | 0.35.0 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2022-39202 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 4.3) in Matrix Irc Bridge, published September 13, 2022. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.90%, the 59th percentile. Fixed in matrix-appservice-irc 0.35.0.
References
github.com/matrix-org/matrix-appservice-irc/security/advisories/GHSA-cq7q-5c67-w39w
matrix.org/blog/2022/09/13/security-release-of-matrix-appservice-irc-0-35-0-high-severity
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39202