# CVE-2023-41335: matrix-synapse vulnerable to temporary storage of plaintext passwords during password changes

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-41335-matrix-synapse-vulnerable-to-temporary-storage-of-plaintext  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2023-09-27  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-41335 · Severity: low · CVSS 3.1 · Published 2023-09-27

Synapse is an open-source Matrix homeserver written and maintained by the Matrix.org Foundation. When users update their passwords, the new credentials may be briefly held in the server database. While this doesn't grant the server any added capabilities—it already learns the users' passwords as part of the authentication process—it does disrupt the expectation that passwords won't be stored in the database. As a result, these passwords could inadvertently be captured in database backups for a longer duration. These temporarily stored passwords are automatically erased after a 48-hour window. This issue has been addressed in version 1.93.0. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.

Technologies: [matrix-synapse (PyPI)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/matrix-synapse). Vendors: [PyPI](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/pypi).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-41335 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2023-41335 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2023-41335?** Low severity, with a CVSS score of 3.1, published 27 September 2023.

**Which products and versions are affected?** matrix-synapse (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=1.66.0,fixed=1.93.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-41335?** Yes. matrix-synapse (PyPI): upgrade to 1.93.0 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-41335?** Check whether you run matrix-synapse (PyPI) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- matrix-synapse (PyPI): upgrade to 1.93.0 or later

  ```sh
  pip install "matrix-synapse>=1.93.0"
  ```


## Affected products

- matrix-synapse (PyPI) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=1.66.0,fixed=1.93.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2023-41335
- GHSA-4f74-84v3-j9q5
- PYSEC-2023-185

## Related threats

- [PYSEC-2026-2620 - matrix-sydent and matrix-synapse Use Cryptographically Weak PRNG](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2019-11842-matrix-sydent-and-matrix-synapse-use-cryptographically-weak-prng)
- [PYSEC-2026-1614 - Synapse vulnerable to federation denial of service via malformed events](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2025-30355-synapse-vulnerable-to-federation-denial-of-service-via-malformed)
- [PYSEC-2026-1610 - Synapse Matrix has a partial room state leak via Sliding Sync](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-53867-synapse-matrix-has-a-partial-room-state-leak-via-sliding-sync)
- [Synapse can be forced to thumbnail unexpected file formats, invoking external, potentially untrustworthy decoders](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-53863-synapse-can-be-forced-to-thumbnail-unexpected-file-formats)
- [PYSEC-2026-1611 - Synapse allows a a malformed invite to break the invitee's `/sync`](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2024-52815-synapse-allows-a-a-malformed-invite-to-break-the-invitee-s-sync)