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Matrix.org Foundation Identifies High Severity Vulnerabilities in Federated Secure Chat Protocol
In a recent update, Matrix has confirmed that two high severity protocol vulnerabilities have been identified, which require immediate attention and patching. These vulnerabilities pose a significant threat to users who rely on the open federation system, where any server can connect without restrictions. The severity of these vulnerabilities is described as "high," emphasizing the need for prompt action from the community.
The Matrix.org Foundation has identified high severity protocol vulnerabilities in their federated secure chat protocol. Two high severity vulnerabilities require immediate attention and patching, posing a significant threat to users relying on the open federation system. Single-instance users are at little risk, but those with restricted or unrestricted federation may need to take proactive measures to protect themselves. The Foundation has released an update (version 1.16) and introduced Room Version 12 to address the vulnerabilities. Several protocol implementers have already acknowledged the issue and plan to release fixes shortly. The severity of this vulnerability raises concerns about active exploitation, emphasizing the need for prompt attention and patching.
The recent announcement by the Matrix.org Foundation regarding the identification of high severity protocol vulnerabilities in their federated secure chat protocol has sent shockwaves throughout the cybersecurity community. As one of the most popular open-source communication protocols, Matrix has garnered a significant following among users seeking secure and decentralized real-time communication. The protocol's adoption has been growing steadily, with an estimated 60 million users, plus around 500,000 government users, in 2022 alone.
According to Jim Mackenzie, Vice President of Trust and Safety at the Matrix.org Foundation, two high severity protocol vulnerabilities have been identified, which require immediate attention and patching. These vulnerabilities pose a significant threat to users who rely on the open federation system, where any server can connect without restrictions. The severity of these vulnerabilities is described as "high," emphasizing the need for prompt action from the community.
The Matrix protocol's design is built upon HTTP and WebRTC, making it an attractive choice for developers seeking a secure and interoperable communication platform. However, this openness also presents a risk, as any server participating in the open federation can potentially exploit these vulnerabilities. The Foundation has stated that single-instance users are at little risk, but those with restricted federation or open, unrestricted federation may need to take proactive measures to protect themselves.
In response to the identified vulnerabilities, the Matrix.org Foundation has released an update, which includes a new version of the specification (1.16) and introduces Room Version 12. This update is expected to be released on September 2025. Users are advised to upgrade their servers and clients to support the new version before proceeding with the patch.
Several protocol implementers have already acknowledged the issue and have announced plans to release fixes shortly. Among these are Conduit, Continuwity, ejabberd, Dendrite, Rocket.chat, Synapse, Synapse Pro, and Tuwunel. The matrix.org homeserver will also be updated to support Room Version 12.
The severity of this vulnerability has raised concerns among security professionals and users alike. The question on everyone's mind is whether these vulnerabilities are currently under active exploitation. While the Matrix.org Foundation has not provided any definitive information, it is clear that prompt attention is needed to address these high severity vulnerabilities.
The recent announcement highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and patching of communication protocols. As more open-source and decentralized platforms continue to emerge, the need for vigilance in identifying and addressing potential security vulnerabilities will become increasingly crucial.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-High-Severity-Vulnerabilities-in-Matrix-A-Critical-Update-for-Secure-Chat-Protocols-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/08/13/secure_chat_darling_matrix_admits/
https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/13/secure_chat_darling_matrix_admits/
https://securityshelf.com/2025/08/13/secure-chat-darling-matrix-admits-pair-of-high-severity-protocol-flaws-need-painful-fixes/
Published: Wed Aug 13 04:49:36 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
