CVE-2022-32228 in Rocket.Chat
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2022
An information disclosure vulnerability exists in Rocket.Chat <v5, <v4.8.2 and <v4.7.5 since the getReadReceipts Meteor server method does not properly filter user inputs that are passed to MongoDB queries, allowing $regex queries to enumerate arbitrary Message IDs.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-32228 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Rocket.Chat versions prior to v5, v4.8.2, and v4.7.5. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation in the getReadReceipts Meteor server method, which directly impacts how user-provided data is processed within MongoDB queries. The flaw allows attackers to exploit the lack of proper sanitization to construct malicious regex patterns that can traverse and enumerate message identifiers across the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user inputs within the Meteor server-side method that retrieves read receipts for messages. When users submit requests to access read receipt information, the system fails to adequately filter or sanitize the input parameters before incorporating them into MongoDB aggregation operations. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious regex expressions that can bypass normal query restrictions and access message IDs that should otherwise be protected or restricted. The vulnerability specifically targets the MongoDB query execution layer where user-controllable data is directly passed to database operations without proper validation.
From an operational perspective, this information disclosure vulnerability poses significant risks to the confidentiality and integrity of communication data within Rocket.Chat deployments. Attackers can leverage this flaw to enumerate message identifiers across different channels and rooms, potentially gaining access to sensitive information that was not intended for unauthorized users. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it enables further reconnaissance activities where attackers can map out message structures and potentially identify patterns in communication that may reveal organizational information, user behavior, or confidential discussions. This vulnerability essentially undermines the access controls that should protect message privacy and user data within the platform.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 related to data from information repositories. Organizations using affected Rocket.Chat versions face heightened risk of unauthorized data access and potential information leakage that could compromise user privacy and organizational security. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the platform. Security teams should prioritize immediate remediation through version updates to address this exposure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the Meteor server methods that handle user data. Organizations should ensure that all user-controllable inputs are properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into database queries. The recommended approach involves updating Rocket.Chat to versions v5, v4.8.2, or v4.7.5 where the vulnerability has been patched. Additionally, network-level monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns in read receipt requests that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security configurations should enforce stricter access controls and input filtering to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other components of the system.