CVE-2023-38686

NameCVE-2023-38686
DescriptionSydent is an identity server for the Matrix communications protocol. Prior to version 2.5.6, if configured to send emails using TLS, Sydent does not verify SMTP servers' certificates. This makes Sydent's emails vulnerable to interception via a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. Attackers with privileged access to the network can intercept room invitations and address confirmation emails. This is patched in Sydent 2.5.6. When patching, make sure that Sydent trusts the certificate of the server it is connecting to. This should happen automatically when using properly issued certificates. Those who use self-signed certificates should make sure to copy their Certification Authority certificate, or their self signed certificate if using only one, to the trust store of your operating system. As a workaround, one can ensure Sydent's emails fail to send by setting the configured SMTP server to a loopback or non-routable address under one's control which does not have a listening SMTP server.
SourceCVE (at NVD; CERT, LWN, oss-sec, fulldisc, Red Hat, Ubuntu, Gentoo, SUSE bugzilla/CVE, GitHub advisories/code/issues, web search, more)
Debian Bugs1043162

Vulnerable and fixed packages

The table below lists information on source packages.

Source PackageReleaseVersionStatus
matrix-sydent (PTS)sid2.5.1-1.1vulnerable

The information below is based on the following data on fixed versions.

PackageTypeReleaseFixed VersionUrgencyOriginDebian Bugs
matrix-sydentsource(unstable)(unfixed)1043162

Notes

https://github.com/matrix-org/sydent/pull/574
https://github.com/matrix-org/sydent/commit/1cd748307c6b168b66154e6c4db715d4b9551261 (v2.5.6)
https://github.com/matrix-org/sydent/security/advisories/GHSA-p6hw-wm59-3g5g

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