write more stuff

pull/2241/head
Hubert Chathi 5 years ago
parent fb724bc625
commit 0e6286f5d0

@ -1,8 +1,15 @@
# Key verification in DMs # Key verification in DMs
Currently, key verification is done using `to_device` messages. However, since Currently, key verification is done using `to_device` messages. However, since
`to_device` messages are not part of a timeline, there is no user-visible record `to_device` messages are not part of a timeline, there is no user-visible
of the key verification. record of the key verification.
As well, the current key verification framework does not provide any feedback
when interacting with clients that do not support it; if a client does not
support the key verification framework, there is no way for users to discover
this other than waiting for a while and noticing that nothing is happening.
This proposal will solve both problems.
## Proposal ## Proposal
@ -27,9 +34,27 @@ following properties in its contents:
- `body`: a fallback message to alert users that their client does not support - `body`: a fallback message to alert users that their client does not support
the key verification framework, and that they should use a different method the key verification framework, and that they should use a different method
to verify keys to verify keys. The message should contain Bob's Matrix ID in order to
trigger a notification so that Bob's client will highlight the room for him,
making it easier for him to find it. For example, "@bob:example.com: Alice
is requesting to verify keys with you. However, your client does not support
this method, so you will need to use the legacy method of key verification."
Clients that do support the key verification framework should hide the body
and instead present the user with an interface to accept or reject the key
verification.
The event may also contain `format` and `formatted_body` properties as
described in the [m.room.message
msgtypes](https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/r0.5.0#m-room-message-msgtypes)
section of the spec. Clients that support the key verification should
similarly hide these from the user.
- `msgtype`: `m.key.verification.request` - `msgtype`: `m.key.verification.request`
- `methods`: the verification methods supported by Alice's client - `methods`: the verification methods supported by Alice's client
- `to`: Bob's Matrix ID. Users should only respond to verification requests if
they are named in this field. Users who are not named in this field and who
did not send this event should ignore all other events that have a
`m.key.verification` relationship with this event.
Key verifications will be identified by the event ID of the key verification Key verifications will be identified by the event ID of the key verification
request event. request event.
@ -67,7 +92,8 @@ event with the following properties in its contents:
- `code`: The error code for why the process/request was cancelled by the - `code`: The error code for why the process/request was cancelled by the
user. The contents are the same as the `code` property of the currently user. The contents are the same as the `code` property of the currently
defined [`m.key.verification.cancel` to-device defined [`m.key.verification.cancel` to-device
event](https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/r0.5.0#m-key-verification-cancel) event](https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/r0.5.0#m-key-verification-cancel),
or as defined for specific key verification methods.
This message may be sent at any point in the key verification process. Any This message may be sent at any point in the key verification process. Any
subsequent key verification messages relating to the same request are ignored. subsequent key verification messages relating to the same request are ignored.
@ -95,8 +121,32 @@ property, as defined above, is used instead.
## Potential issues ## Potential issues
If a user wants to verify their own device, this will require the creation of a
Direct Messaging room with themselves.
Direct Messaging rooms could have end-to-end encryption enabled, and some
clients can be configured to only send decryption keys to verified devices.
Key verification messages should be granted an exception to this (so that
decryption keys are sent to all of the target user's devices), or should be
sent unencrypted, so that unverified devices will be able to be verified.
Users might have multiple Direct Messaging rooms with other users. In this
case, clients will need to prompt the user to select the room in which they
want to perform the verification.
## Security considerations ## Security considerations
Key verification is subject to the room's visibility settings, and may be
visible to other users in the room. However, key verification does not rely on
secrecy, so this will no affect the security of the key verification. This may
reveal to others in the room that Alice and Bob know each other, but this is
already revealed by the fact that they share a Direct Messaging room.
This framework allows users to see what key verifications they have performed
in the past. However, since key verification messages are not secured, this
should not be considered as authoritative.
## Conclusion ## Conclusion
By using room messages to perform key verification rather than `to_device`
messages, the user experience of key verification can be improved.

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