CVE-2021-29471

Denial of service in Matrix Synapse

MEDIUM
5.3
CVSS Score
Published: May 11, 2021 at 03:05 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 03:47 AM UTC
3 products affected across 3 vendorsFedoraSynapseSynapse

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Severity
MEDIUM5.3
Exploit prediction
EPSS 2%

Description

Synapse is a Matrix reference homeserver written in python (pypi package matrix-synapse). Matrix is an ecosystem for open federated Instant Messaging and VoIP. In Synapse before version 1.33.2 "Push rules" can specify conditions under which they will match, including `event_match`, which matches event content against a pattern including wildcards. Certain patterns can cause very poor performance in the matching engine, leading to a denial-of-service when processing moderate length events. The issue is patched in version 1.33.2. A potential workaround might be to prevent users from making custom push rules, by blocking such requests at a reverse-proxy.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 1.33.2
Affected range stops below 1.33.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
v < 1.33.2
Affected range stops below 1.33.2, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

CVSS

Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
NONE
Availability
LOW
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusMODIFIED
CWE
CWE-400CWE-331

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