CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2025-62425NVD status: Deferred

matrix-authentication-service: Unverified Password Change

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2025-62425 is a high-severity unverified password change vulnerability in matrix-authentication-service from Element-hq, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected matrix-authentication-service versions: >= 0.20.0, <= 1.4.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.46% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of matrix-authentication-service you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Element-hqmatrix-authentication-service>= 0.20.0, <= 1.4.0Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
LowSome restricted data can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (github.com).

Official description

MAS (Matrix Authentication Service) is a user management and authentication service for Matrix homeservers, written and maintained by Element. A logic flaw in matrix-authentication-service 0.20.0 through 1.4.0 allows an attacker with access to an authenticated MAS session to perform sensitive operations without entering the current password. These include changing the current password, adding or removing an e-mail address and deactivating the account. The vulnerability only affects instances which have the local password database feature enabled (passwords section in the config). Patched in matrix-authentication-service 1.4.1.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Unverified Password Change

When setting a new password for a user, the product does not require knowledge of the original password, or using another form of authentication.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • When prompting for a password change, force the user to provide the original password in addition to the new password.
  • Do not use forgotten password functionality. But if you must, ensure that you are only providing information to the actual user, e.g. by using an email address or challenge question that the legitimate user already provided in the past; do not allow the current user to change this identity information until the correct password has been provided.

More Unverified Password Change vulnerabilities (CWE-620)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Unverified Password Change vulnerabilities

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