CVE-2021-41281

Path traversal in Matrix Synapse

Description

Synapse is a package for Matrix homeservers written in Python 3/Twisted. Prior to version 1.47.1, Synapse instances with the media repository enabled can be tricked into downloading a file from a remote server into an arbitrary directory. No authentication is required for the affected endpoint. The last 2 directories and file name of the path are chosen randomly by Synapse and cannot be controlled by an attacker, which limits the impact. Homeservers with the media repository disabled are unaffected. Homeservers with a federation whitelist are also unaffected, since Synapse will check the remote hostname, including the trailing `../`s, against the whitelist. Server administrators should upgrade to 1.47.1 or later. Server administrators using a reverse proxy could, at the expense of losing media functionality, may block the certain endpoints as a workaround. Alternatively, non-containerized deployments can be adapted to use the hardened systemd config.

Category

7.5
CVSS
Severity: High
CVSS 3.1 •
CVSS 2.0 •
EPSS 0.55%
Vendor Advisory fedoraproject.org Vendor Advisory fedoraproject.org
Affected: matrix-org synapse
Published at:
Updated at:

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the severity of CVE-2021-41281?
CVE-2021-41281 has been scored as a high severity vulnerability.
How to fix CVE-2021-41281?
To fix CVE-2021-41281, make sure you are using an up-to-date version of the affected component(s) by checking the vendor release notes. As for now, there are no other specific guidelines available.
Is CVE-2021-41281 being actively exploited in the wild?
As for now, there are no information to confirm that CVE-2021-41281 is being actively exploited. According to its EPSS score, there is a ~1% probability that this vulnerability will be exploited by malicious actors in the next 30 days.
What software or system is affected by CVE-2021-41281?
CVE-2021-41281 affects matrix-org synapse.
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