CVE-2024-40648
📋 TL;DR
A vulnerability in matrix-rust-sdk's matrix-sdk-crypto crate allows a malicious homeserver to manipulate the UserIdentity::is_verified() method to incorrectly report a user identity as trusted. This could lead to sensitive operations being performed against untrusted identities. Only applications using this specific method for trust decisions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- matrix-rust-sdk matrix-sdk-crypto crate
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sensitive operations (like sharing encryption keys or private data) performed with malicious identities controlled by an attacker, leading to data compromise.
Likely Case
Limited impact since the method is not used internally in the crate and typical applications don't rely on it for critical trust decisions.
If Mitigated
No impact if applications don't use UserIdentity::is_verified() for security decisions or have upgraded to patched version.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires control of a malicious homeserver and application using the vulnerable method incorrectly.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: matrix-sdk-crypto 0.7.2
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-rust-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-4qg4-cvh2-crgg
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Cargo.toml to require matrix-sdk-crypto >=0.7.2. 2. Run 'cargo update'. 3. Rebuild and redeploy application.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid using is_verified() method
allDo not use UserIdentity::is_verified() method for security decisions until patched
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Audit codebase for usage of UserIdentity::is_verified() and implement alternative trust verification
- Implement additional verification layers for sensitive operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Cargo.lock or Cargo.toml for matrix-sdk-crypto version <0.7.2Check Version:
grep -A2 -B2 'matrix-sdk-crypto' Cargo.toml && grep 'matrix-sdk-crypto' Cargo.lockVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm matrix-sdk-crypto version >=0.7.2 in dependencies📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual trust decisions based on is_verified() method
- Sensitive operations performed with newly verified identities
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected homeserver interactions when is_verified() is called
SIEM Query:
Not applicable - client-side library vulnerability🔗 References
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-rust-sdk/commit/76a7052149bb8f722df12da915b3a06d19a6695a
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-rust-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-4qg4-cvh2-crgg
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-rust-sdk/commit/76a7052149bb8f722df12da915b3a06d19a6695a
- https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-rust-sdk/security/advisories/GHSA-4qg4-cvh2-crgg
