CVE-2022-36009 MEDIUM

CVE-2022-36009: Incorrect parsing of access level in gomatrixserverlib and dendrite

Vendor Matrix-Org
Product gomatrixserverlib
Weakness CWE-863 · Incorrect authorization
Published August 19, 2022
Last update April 23, 2025

CVSS base score

5.0/10
Attack vector Network
Attack complexity High
Privileges required Low
User interaction None
Confidentiality Low
Integrity Low

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

What the vulnerability does

01Description

gomatrixserverlib is a Go library for matrix protocol federation. Dendrite is a Matrix homeserver written in Go, an alternative to Synapse. The power level parsing within gomatrixserverlib was failing to parse the `"events_default"` key of the `m.room.power_levels` event, defaulting the event default power level to zero in all cases. Power levels are the matrix terminology for user access level. In rooms where the `"events_default"` power level had been changed, this could result in events either being incorrectly authorised or rejected by Dendrite servers. gomatrixserverlib contains a fix as of commit `723fd49` and Dendrite 0.9.3 has been updated accordingly. Matrix rooms where the `"events_default"` power level has not been changed from the default of zero are not vulnerable. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

August 19, 2022 CVE published
April 23, 2025 Record updated