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-rw-r--r--synapse/__init__.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/api/auth.py2
-rwxr-xr-xsynapse/app/homeserver.py2
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/repository.py31
-rw-r--r--synapse/config/server.py15
-rw-r--r--synapse/crypto/keyring.py50
-rw-r--r--synapse/federation/federation_base.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/directory.py22
-rw-r--r--synapse/handlers/room.py3
-rw-r--r--synapse/push/baserules.py17
-rw-r--r--synapse/python_dependencies.py8
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/__init__.py17
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/admin/__init__.py (renamed from synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py)261
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/admin/_base.py59
-rw-r--r--synapse/rest/admin/server_notice_servlet.py100
-rw-r--r--synapse/util/stringutils.py9
16 files changed, 441 insertions, 179 deletions
diff --git a/synapse/__init__.py b/synapse/__init__.py
index 6bb5a8b24d..315fa96551 100644
--- a/synapse/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/__init__.py
@@ -27,4 +27,4 @@ try:
 except ImportError:
     pass
 
-__version__ = "0.99.3"
+__version__ = "0.99.3.2"
diff --git a/synapse/api/auth.py b/synapse/api/auth.py
index 960e66dbdc..0c6c93a87b 100644
--- a/synapse/api/auth.py
+++ b/synapse/api/auth.py
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ class Auth(object):
         """ Check if the given user is a local server admin.
 
         Args:
-            user (str): mxid of user to check
+            user (UserID): user to check
 
         Returns:
             bool: True if the user is an admin
diff --git a/synapse/app/homeserver.py b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
index 79be977ea6..1045d28949 100755
--- a/synapse/app/homeserver.py
+++ b/synapse/app/homeserver.py
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ from synapse.python_dependencies import check_requirements
 from synapse.replication.http import REPLICATION_PREFIX, ReplicationRestResource
 from synapse.replication.tcp.resource import ReplicationStreamProtocolFactory
 from synapse.rest import ClientRestResource
+from synapse.rest.admin import AdminRestResource
 from synapse.rest.key.v2 import KeyApiV2Resource
 from synapse.rest.media.v0.content_repository import ContentRepoResource
 from synapse.rest.well_known import WellKnownResource
@@ -180,6 +181,7 @@ class SynapseHomeServer(HomeServer):
                 "/_matrix/client/v2_alpha": client_resource,
                 "/_matrix/client/versions": client_resource,
                 "/.well-known/matrix/client": WellKnownResource(self),
+                "/_synapse/admin": AdminRestResource(self),
             })
 
             if self.get_config().saml2_enabled:
diff --git a/synapse/config/repository.py b/synapse/config/repository.py
index 3f34ad9b2a..fbfcecc240 100644
--- a/synapse/config/repository.py
+++ b/synapse/config/repository.py
@@ -186,17 +186,21 @@ class ContentRepositoryConfig(Config):
             except ImportError:
                 raise ConfigError(MISSING_NETADDR)
 
-            if "url_preview_ip_range_blacklist" in config:
-                self.url_preview_ip_range_blacklist = IPSet(
-                    config["url_preview_ip_range_blacklist"]
-                )
-            else:
+            if "url_preview_ip_range_blacklist" not in config:
                 raise ConfigError(
                     "For security, you must specify an explicit target IP address "
                     "blacklist in url_preview_ip_range_blacklist for url previewing "
                     "to work"
                 )
 
+            self.url_preview_ip_range_blacklist = IPSet(
+                config["url_preview_ip_range_blacklist"]
+            )
+
+            # we always blacklist '0.0.0.0' and '::', which are supposed to be
+            # unroutable addresses.
+            self.url_preview_ip_range_blacklist.update(['0.0.0.0', '::'])
+
             self.url_preview_ip_range_whitelist = IPSet(
                 config.get("url_preview_ip_range_whitelist", ())
             )
@@ -260,11 +264,12 @@ class ContentRepositoryConfig(Config):
         #thumbnail_sizes:
 %(formatted_thumbnail_sizes)s
 
-        # Is the preview URL API enabled?  If enabled, you *must* specify
-        # an explicit url_preview_ip_range_blacklist of IPs that the spider is
-        # denied from accessing.
+        # Is the preview URL API enabled?
+        #
+        # 'false' by default: uncomment the following to enable it (and specify a
+        # url_preview_ip_range_blacklist blacklist).
         #
-        #url_preview_enabled: false
+        #url_preview_enabled: true
 
         # List of IP address CIDR ranges that the URL preview spider is denied
         # from accessing.  There are no defaults: you must explicitly
@@ -274,6 +279,12 @@ class ContentRepositoryConfig(Config):
         # synapse to issue arbitrary GET requests to your internal services,
         # causing serious security issues.
         #
+        # (0.0.0.0 and :: are always blacklisted, whether or not they are explicitly
+        # listed here, since they correspond to unroutable addresses.)
+        #
+        # This must be specified if url_preview_enabled is set. It is recommended that
+        # you uncomment the following list as a starting point.
+        #
         #url_preview_ip_range_blacklist:
         #  - '127.0.0.0/8'
         #  - '10.0.0.0/8'
@@ -284,7 +295,7 @@ class ContentRepositoryConfig(Config):
         #  - '::1/128'
         #  - 'fe80::/64'
         #  - 'fc00::/7'
-        #
+
         # List of IP address CIDR ranges that the URL preview spider is allowed
         # to access even if they are specified in url_preview_ip_range_blacklist.
         # This is useful for specifying exceptions to wide-ranging blacklisted
diff --git a/synapse/config/server.py b/synapse/config/server.py
index cdf1e4d286..147a976485 100644
--- a/synapse/config/server.py
+++ b/synapse/config/server.py
@@ -134,6 +134,12 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
         # sending out any replication updates.
         self.replication_torture_level = config.get("replication_torture_level")
 
+        # Whether to require a user to be in the room to add an alias to it.
+        # Defaults to True.
+        self.require_membership_for_aliases = config.get(
+            "require_membership_for_aliases", True,
+        )
+
         self.listeners = []
         for listener in config.get("listeners", []):
             if not isinstance(listener.get("port", None), int):
@@ -388,8 +394,8 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
         #
         # Valid resource names are:
         #
-        #   client: the client-server API (/_matrix/client). Also implies 'media' and
-        #       'static'.
+        #   client: the client-server API (/_matrix/client), and the synapse admin
+        #       API (/_synapse/admin). Also implies 'media' and 'static'.
         #
         #   consent: user consent forms (/_matrix/consent). See
         #       docs/consent_tracking.md.
@@ -490,6 +496,11 @@ class ServerConfig(Config):
 
         # Used by phonehome stats to group together related servers.
         #server_context: context
+
+        # Whether to require a user to be in the room to add an alias to it.
+        # Defaults to 'true'.
+        #
+        #require_membership_for_aliases: false
         """ % locals()
 
     def read_arguments(self, args):
diff --git a/synapse/crypto/keyring.py b/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
index ed2e994437..d8ba870cca 100644
--- a/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
+++ b/synapse/crypto/keyring.py
@@ -114,40 +114,54 @@ class Keyring(object):
                 server_name. The deferreds run their callbacks in the sentinel
                 logcontext.
         """
+        # a list of VerifyKeyRequests
         verify_requests = []
+        handle = preserve_fn(_handle_key_deferred)
 
-        for server_name, json_object in server_and_json:
+        def process(server_name, json_object):
+            """Process an entry in the request list
 
+            Given a (server_name, json_object) pair from the request list,
+            adds a key request to verify_requests, and returns a deferred which will
+            complete or fail (in the sentinel context) when verification completes.
+            """
             key_ids = signature_ids(json_object, server_name)
+
             if not key_ids:
-                logger.warn("Request from %s: no supported signature keys",
-                            server_name)
-                deferred = defer.fail(SynapseError(
-                    400,
-                    "Not signed with a supported algorithm",
-                    Codes.UNAUTHORIZED,
-                ))
-            else:
-                deferred = defer.Deferred()
+                return defer.fail(
+                    SynapseError(
+                        400,
+                        "Not signed by %s" % (server_name,),
+                        Codes.UNAUTHORIZED,
+                    )
+                )
 
             logger.debug("Verifying for %s with key_ids %s",
                          server_name, key_ids)
 
+            # add the key request to the queue, but don't start it off yet.
             verify_request = VerifyKeyRequest(
-                server_name, key_ids, json_object, deferred
+                server_name, key_ids, json_object, defer.Deferred(),
             )
-
             verify_requests.append(verify_request)
 
-        run_in_background(self._start_key_lookups, verify_requests)
+            # now run _handle_key_deferred, which will wait for the key request
+            # to complete and then do the verification.
+            #
+            # We want _handle_key_request to log to the right context, so we
+            # wrap it with preserve_fn (aka run_in_background)
+            return handle(verify_request)
 
-        # Pass those keys to handle_key_deferred so that the json object
-        # signatures can be verified
-        handle = preserve_fn(_handle_key_deferred)
-        return [
-            handle(rq) for rq in verify_requests
+        results = [
+            process(server_name, json_object)
+            for server_name, json_object in server_and_json
         ]
 
+        if verify_requests:
+            run_in_background(self._start_key_lookups, verify_requests)
+
+        return results
+
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def _start_key_lookups(self, verify_requests):
         """Sets off the key fetches for each verify request
diff --git a/synapse/federation/federation_base.py b/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
index dfe6b4aa5c..cffa831d80 100644
--- a/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
+++ b/synapse/federation/federation_base.py
@@ -269,7 +269,18 @@ def _check_sigs_on_pdus(keyring, room_version, pdus):
         for p in pdus_to_check_sender
     ])
 
+    def sender_err(e, pdu_to_check):
+        errmsg = "event id %s: unable to verify signature for sender %s: %s" % (
+            pdu_to_check.pdu.event_id,
+            pdu_to_check.sender_domain,
+            e.getErrorMessage(),
+        )
+        # XX not really sure if these are the right codes, but they are what
+        # we've done for ages
+        raise SynapseError(400, errmsg, Codes.UNAUTHORIZED)
+
     for p, d in zip(pdus_to_check_sender, more_deferreds):
+        d.addErrback(sender_err, p)
         p.deferreds.append(d)
 
     # now let's look for events where the sender's domain is different to the
@@ -291,7 +302,18 @@ def _check_sigs_on_pdus(keyring, room_version, pdus):
             for p in pdus_to_check_event_id
         ])
 
+        def event_err(e, pdu_to_check):
+            errmsg = (
+                "event id %s: unable to verify signature for event id domain: %s" % (
+                    pdu_to_check.pdu.event_id,
+                    e.getErrorMessage(),
+                )
+            )
+            # XX as above: not really sure if these are the right codes
+            raise SynapseError(400, errmsg, Codes.UNAUTHORIZED)
+
         for p, d in zip(pdus_to_check_event_id, more_deferreds):
+            d.addErrback(event_err, p)
             p.deferreds.append(d)
 
     # replace lists of deferreds with single Deferreds
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/directory.py b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
index 27bd06df5d..50c587aa61 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/directory.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/directory.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
+    MAX_ALIAS_LENGTH = 255
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         super(DirectoryHandler, self).__init__(hs)
@@ -43,8 +44,10 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
         self.state = hs.get_state_handler()
         self.appservice_handler = hs.get_application_service_handler()
         self.event_creation_handler = hs.get_event_creation_handler()
+        self.store = hs.get_datastore()
         self.config = hs.config
         self.enable_room_list_search = hs.config.enable_room_list_search
+        self.require_membership = hs.config.require_membership_for_aliases
 
         self.federation = hs.get_federation_client()
         hs.get_federation_registry().register_query_handler(
@@ -83,7 +86,7 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def create_association(self, requester, room_alias, room_id, servers=None,
-                           send_event=True):
+                           send_event=True, check_membership=True):
         """Attempt to create a new alias
 
         Args:
@@ -93,6 +96,8 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
             servers (list[str]|None): List of servers that others servers
                 should try and join via
             send_event (bool): Whether to send an updated m.room.aliases event
+            check_membership (bool): Whether to check if the user is in the room
+                before the alias can be set (if the server's config requires it).
 
         Returns:
             Deferred
@@ -100,6 +105,13 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
 
         user_id = requester.user.to_string()
 
+        if len(room_alias.to_string()) > self.MAX_ALIAS_LENGTH:
+            raise SynapseError(
+                400,
+                "Can't create aliases longer than %s characters" % self.MAX_ALIAS_LENGTH,
+                Codes.INVALID_PARAM,
+            )
+
         service = requester.app_service
         if service:
             if not service.is_interested_in_alias(room_alias.to_string()):
@@ -108,6 +120,14 @@ class DirectoryHandler(BaseHandler):
                     " this kind of alias.", errcode=Codes.EXCLUSIVE
                 )
         else:
+            if self.require_membership and check_membership:
+                rooms_for_user = yield self.store.get_rooms_for_user(user_id)
+                if room_id not in rooms_for_user:
+                    raise AuthError(
+                        403,
+                        "You must be in the room to create an alias for it",
+                    )
+
             if not self.spam_checker.user_may_create_room_alias(user_id, room_alias):
                 raise AuthError(
                     403, "This user is not permitted to create this alias",
diff --git a/synapse/handlers/room.py b/synapse/handlers/room.py
index 17628e2684..e37ae96899 100644
--- a/synapse/handlers/room.py
+++ b/synapse/handlers/room.py
@@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 yield directory_handler.create_association(
                     requester, RoomAlias.from_string(alias),
                     new_room_id, servers=(self.hs.hostname, ),
-                    send_event=False,
+                    send_event=False, check_membership=False,
                 )
                 logger.info("Moved alias %s to new room", alias)
             except SynapseError as e:
@@ -538,6 +538,7 @@ class RoomCreationHandler(BaseHandler):
                 room_alias=room_alias,
                 servers=[self.hs.hostname],
                 send_event=False,
+                check_membership=False,
             )
 
         preset_config = config.get(
diff --git a/synapse/push/baserules.py b/synapse/push/baserules.py
index 8f0682c948..3523a40108 100644
--- a/synapse/push/baserules.py
+++ b/synapse/push/baserules.py
@@ -261,6 +261,23 @@ BASE_APPEND_OVERRIDE_RULES = [
                 'value': True,
             }
         ]
+    },
+    {
+        'rule_id': 'global/override/.m.rule.tombstone',
+        'conditions': [
+            {
+                'kind': 'event_match',
+                'key': 'type',
+                'pattern': 'm.room.tombstone',
+                '_id': '_tombstone',
+            }
+        ],
+        'actions': [
+            'notify', {
+                'set_tweak': 'highlight',
+                'value': True,
+            }
+        ]
     }
 ]
 
diff --git a/synapse/python_dependencies.py b/synapse/python_dependencies.py
index 779f36dbed..2708f5e820 100644
--- a/synapse/python_dependencies.py
+++ b/synapse/python_dependencies.py
@@ -69,6 +69,14 @@ REQUIREMENTS = [
     "attrs>=17.4.0",
 
     "netaddr>=0.7.18",
+
+    # requests is a transitive dep of treq, and urlib3 is a transitive dep
+    # of requests, as well as of sentry-sdk.
+    #
+    # As of requests 2.21, requests does not yet support urllib3 1.25.
+    # (If we do not pin it here, pip will give us the latest urllib3
+    # due to the dep via sentry-sdk.)
+    "urllib3<1.25",
 ]
 
 CONDITIONAL_REQUIREMENTS = {
diff --git a/synapse/rest/__init__.py b/synapse/rest/__init__.py
index a66885d349..3a24d31d1b 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/__init__.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/__init__.py
@@ -13,11 +13,10 @@
 # WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
-
+import synapse.rest.admin
 from synapse.http.server import JsonResource
 from synapse.rest.client import versions
 from synapse.rest.client.v1 import (
-    admin,
     directory,
     events,
     initial_sync,
@@ -58,8 +57,14 @@ from synapse.rest.client.v2_alpha import (
 
 
 class ClientRestResource(JsonResource):
-    """A resource for version 1 of the matrix client API."""
+    """Matrix Client API REST resource.
 
+    This gets mounted at various points under /_matrix/client, including:
+       * /_matrix/client/r0
+       * /_matrix/client/api/v1
+       * /_matrix/client/unstable
+       * etc
+    """
     def __init__(self, hs):
         JsonResource.__init__(self, hs, canonical_json=False)
         self.register_servlets(self, hs)
@@ -82,7 +87,6 @@ class ClientRestResource(JsonResource):
         presence.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         directory.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         voip.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
-        admin.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         pusher.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         push_rule.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         logout.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
@@ -111,3 +115,8 @@ class ClientRestResource(JsonResource):
         room_upgrade_rest_servlet.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         capabilities.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
         account_validity.register_servlets(hs, client_resource)
+
+        # moving to /_synapse/admin
+        synapse.rest.admin.register_servlets_for_client_rest_resource(
+            hs, client_resource
+        )
diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py b/synapse/rest/admin/__init__.py
index 0a1e233b23..744d85594f 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v1/admin.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/admin/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # Copyright 2014-2016 OpenMarket Ltd
-# Copyright 2018 New Vector Ltd
+# Copyright 2018-2019 New Vector Ltd
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
 # you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import hashlib
 import hmac
 import logging
 import platform
+import re
 
 from six import text_type
 from six.moves import http_client
@@ -27,39 +28,56 @@ from twisted.internet import defer
 import synapse
 from synapse.api.constants import Membership, UserTypes
 from synapse.api.errors import AuthError, Codes, NotFoundError, SynapseError
+from synapse.http.server import JsonResource
 from synapse.http.servlet import (
+    RestServlet,
     assert_params_in_dict,
     parse_integer,
     parse_json_object_from_request,
     parse_string,
 )
+from synapse.rest.admin._base import assert_requester_is_admin, assert_user_is_admin
+from synapse.rest.admin.server_notice_servlet import SendServerNoticeServlet
 from synapse.types import UserID, create_requester
 from synapse.util.versionstring import get_version_string
 
-from .base import ClientV1RestServlet, client_path_patterns
-
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
-class UsersRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/users/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
+def historical_admin_path_patterns(path_regex):
+    """Returns the list of patterns for an admin endpoint, including historical ones
+
+    This is a backwards-compatibility hack. Previously, the Admin API was exposed at
+    various paths under /_matrix/client. This function returns a list of patterns
+    matching those paths (as well as the new one), so that existing scripts which rely
+    on the endpoints being available there are not broken.
+
+    Note that this should only be used for existing endpoints: new ones should just
+    register for the /_synapse/admin path.
+    """
+    return list(
+        re.compile(prefix + path_regex)
+        for prefix in (
+            "^/_synapse/admin/v1",
+            "^/_matrix/client/api/v1/admin",
+            "^/_matrix/client/unstable/admin",
+            "^/_matrix/client/r0/admin"
+        )
+    )
+
+
+class UsersRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/users/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(UsersRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
+        self.hs = hs
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, user_id):
         target_user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
-
-        # To allow all users to get the users list
-        # if not is_admin and target_user != auth_user:
-        #     raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
         if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
             raise SynapseError(400, "Can only users a local user")
@@ -69,37 +87,30 @@ class UsersRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, ret))
 
 
-class VersionServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/server_version")
-
-    @defer.inlineCallbacks
-    def on_GET(self, request):
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+class VersionServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = (re.compile("^/_synapse/admin/v1/server_version$"), )
 
-        ret = {
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        self.res = {
             'server_version': get_version_string(synapse),
             'python_version': platform.python_version(),
         }
 
-        defer.returnValue((200, ret))
+    def on_GET(self, request):
+        return 200, self.res
 
 
-class UserRegisterServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class UserRegisterServlet(RestServlet):
     """
     Attributes:
          NONCE_TIMEOUT (int): Seconds until a generated nonce won't be accepted
          nonces (dict[str, int]): The nonces that we will accept. A dict of
              nonce to the time it was generated, in int seconds.
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/register")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/register")
     NONCE_TIMEOUT = 60
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(UserRegisterServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
         self.reactor = hs.get_reactor()
         self.nonces = {}
@@ -226,11 +237,12 @@ class UserRegisterServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, result))
 
 
-class WhoisRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/whois/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
+class WhoisRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/whois/(?P<user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(WhoisRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
+        self.hs = hs
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -238,10 +250,9 @@ class WhoisRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         target_user = UserID.from_string(user_id)
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
         auth_user = requester.user
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
 
-        if not is_admin and target_user != auth_user:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        if target_user != auth_user:
+            yield assert_user_is_admin(self.auth, auth_user)
 
         if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
             raise SynapseError(400, "Can only whois a local user")
@@ -251,20 +262,16 @@ class WhoisRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, ret))
 
 
-class PurgeMediaCacheRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/purge_media_cache")
+class PurgeMediaCacheRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/purge_media_cache")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.media_repository = hs.get_media_repository()
-        super(PurgeMediaCacheRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request):
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
         before_ts = parse_integer(request, "before_ts", required=True)
         logger.info("before_ts: %r", before_ts)
@@ -274,9 +281,9 @@ class PurgeMediaCacheRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, ret))
 
 
-class PurgeHistoryRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns(
-        "/admin/purge_history/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)(/(?P<event_id>[^/]+))?"
+class PurgeHistoryRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns(
+        "/purge_history/(?P<room_id>[^/]*)(/(?P<event_id>[^/]+))?"
     )
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
@@ -285,17 +292,13 @@ class PurgeHistoryRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         Args:
             hs (synapse.server.HomeServer)
         """
-        super(PurgeHistoryRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.pagination_handler = hs.get_pagination_handler()
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request, room_id, event_id):
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
         body = parse_json_object_from_request(request, allow_empty_body=True)
 
@@ -371,9 +374,9 @@ class PurgeHistoryRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         }))
 
 
-class PurgeHistoryStatusRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns(
-        "/admin/purge_history_status/(?P<purge_id>[^/]+)"
+class PurgeHistoryStatusRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns(
+        "/purge_history_status/(?P<purge_id>[^/]+)"
     )
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
@@ -382,16 +385,12 @@ class PurgeHistoryStatusRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         Args:
             hs (synapse.server.HomeServer)
         """
-        super(PurgeHistoryStatusRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.pagination_handler = hs.get_pagination_handler()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_GET(self, request, purge_id):
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
         purge_status = self.pagination_handler.get_purge_status(purge_id)
         if purge_status is None:
@@ -400,15 +399,16 @@ class PurgeHistoryStatusRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, purge_status.asdict()))
 
 
-class DeactivateAccountRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/deactivate/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
+class DeactivateAccountRestServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/deactivate/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(DeactivateAccountRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self._deactivate_account_handler = hs.get_deactivate_account_handler()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request, target_user_id):
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
         body = parse_json_object_from_request(request, allow_empty_body=True)
         erase = body.get("erase", False)
         if not isinstance(erase, bool):
@@ -419,11 +419,6 @@ class DeactivateAccountRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
             )
 
         UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
 
         result = yield self._deactivate_account_handler.deactivate_account(
             target_user_id, erase,
@@ -438,13 +433,13 @@ class DeactivateAccountRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         }))
 
 
-class ShutdownRoomRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class ShutdownRoomRestServlet(RestServlet):
     """Shuts down a room by removing all local users from the room and blocking
     all future invites and joins to the room. Any local aliases will be repointed
     to a new room created by `new_room_user_id` and kicked users will be auto
     joined to the new room.
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/shutdown_room/(?P<room_id>[^/]+)")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/shutdown_room/(?P<room_id>[^/]+)")
 
     DEFAULT_MESSAGE = (
         "Sharing illegal content on this server is not permitted and rooms in"
@@ -452,19 +447,18 @@ class ShutdownRoomRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
     )
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(ShutdownRoomRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
+        self.hs = hs
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
         self.state = hs.get_state_handler()
         self._room_creation_handler = hs.get_room_creation_handler()
         self.event_creation_handler = hs.get_event_creation_handler()
         self.room_member_handler = hs.get_room_member_handler()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request, room_id):
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_user_is_admin(self.auth, requester.user)
 
         content = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
         assert_params_in_dict(content, ["new_room_user_id"])
@@ -564,22 +558,20 @@ class ShutdownRoomRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         }))
 
 
-class QuarantineMediaInRoom(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class QuarantineMediaInRoom(RestServlet):
     """Quarantines all media in a room so that no one can download it via
     this server.
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/quarantine_media/(?P<room_id>[^/]+)")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/quarantine_media/(?P<room_id>[^/]+)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(QuarantineMediaInRoom, self).__init__(hs)
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request, room_id):
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_user_is_admin(self.auth, requester.user)
 
         num_quarantined = yield self.store.quarantine_media_ids_in_room(
             room_id, requester.user.to_string(),
@@ -588,13 +580,12 @@ class QuarantineMediaInRoom(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, {"num_quarantined": num_quarantined}))
 
 
-class ListMediaInRoom(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class ListMediaInRoom(RestServlet):
     """Lists all of the media in a given room.
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/room/(?P<room_id>[^/]+)/media")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/room/(?P<room_id>[^/]+)/media")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(ListMediaInRoom, self).__init__(hs)
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
@@ -609,11 +600,11 @@ class ListMediaInRoom(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, {"local": local_mxcs, "remote": remote_mxcs}))
 
 
-class ResetPasswordRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class ResetPasswordRestServlet(RestServlet):
     """Post request to allow an administrator reset password for a user.
     This needs user to have administrator access in Synapse.
         Example:
-            http://localhost:8008/_matrix/client/api/v1/admin/reset_password/
+            http://localhost:8008/_synapse/admin/v1/reset_password/
             @user:to_reset_password?access_token=admin_access_token
         JsonBodyToSend:
             {
@@ -622,11 +613,10 @@ class ResetPasswordRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         Returns:
             200 OK with empty object if success otherwise an error.
         """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/reset_password/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/reset_password/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
-        super(ResetPasswordRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.hs = hs
         self.auth = hs.get_auth()
         self._set_password_handler = hs.get_set_password_handler()
@@ -636,12 +626,10 @@ class ResetPasswordRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         """Post request to allow an administrator reset password for a user.
         This needs user to have administrator access in Synapse.
         """
-        UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
+        yield assert_user_is_admin(self.auth, requester.user)
 
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
 
         params = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
         assert_params_in_dict(params, ["new_password"])
@@ -653,20 +641,19 @@ class ResetPasswordRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, {}))
 
 
-class GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet(RestServlet):
     """Get request to get specific number of users from Synapse.
     This needs user to have administrator access in Synapse.
         Example:
-            http://localhost:8008/_matrix/client/api/v1/admin/users_paginate/
+            http://localhost:8008/_synapse/admin/v1/users_paginate/
             @admin:user?access_token=admin_access_token&start=0&limit=10
         Returns:
             200 OK with json object {list[dict[str, Any]], count} or empty object.
         """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/users_paginate/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/users_paginate/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
-        super(GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.hs = hs
         self.auth = hs.get_auth()
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
@@ -676,16 +663,9 @@ class GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         """Get request to get specific number of users from Synapse.
         This needs user to have administrator access in Synapse.
         """
-        target_user = UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
-        # To allow all users to get the users list
-        # if not is_admin and target_user != auth_user:
-        #     raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
 
         if not self.hs.is_mine(target_user):
             raise SynapseError(400, "Can only users a local user")
@@ -706,7 +686,7 @@ class GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         """Post request to get specific number of users from Synapse..
         This needs user to have administrator access in Synapse.
         Example:
-            http://localhost:8008/_matrix/client/api/v1/admin/users_paginate/
+            http://localhost:8008/_synapse/admin/v1/users_paginate/
             @admin:user?access_token=admin_access_token
         JsonBodyToSend:
             {
@@ -716,12 +696,8 @@ class GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         Returns:
             200 OK with json object {list[dict[str, Any]], count} or empty object.
         """
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
         UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
 
         order = "name"  # order by name in user table
         params = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
@@ -736,21 +712,20 @@ class GetUsersPaginatedRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, ret))
 
 
-class SearchUsersRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class SearchUsersRestServlet(RestServlet):
     """Get request to search user table for specific users according to
     search term.
     This needs user to have administrator access in Synapse.
         Example:
-            http://localhost:8008/_matrix/client/api/v1/admin/search_users/
+            http://localhost:8008/_synapse/admin/v1/search_users/
             @admin:user?access_token=admin_access_token&term=alice
         Returns:
             200 OK with json object {list[dict[str, Any]], count} or empty object.
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/search_users/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/search_users/(?P<target_user_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         self.store = hs.get_datastore()
-        super(SearchUsersRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.hs = hs
         self.auth = hs.get_auth()
         self.handlers = hs.get_handlers()
@@ -761,12 +736,9 @@ class SearchUsersRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         search term.
         This needs user to have a administrator access in Synapse.
         """
-        target_user = UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        target_user = UserID.from_string(target_user_id)
 
         # To allow all users to get the users list
         # if not is_admin and target_user != auth_user:
@@ -784,23 +756,20 @@ class SearchUsersRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, ret))
 
 
-class DeleteGroupAdminRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
+class DeleteGroupAdminRestServlet(RestServlet):
     """Allows deleting of local groups
     """
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/delete_group/(?P<group_id>[^/]*)")
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/delete_group/(?P<group_id>[^/]*)")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
-        super(DeleteGroupAdminRestServlet, self).__init__(hs)
         self.group_server = hs.get_groups_server_handler()
         self.is_mine_id = hs.is_mine_id
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request, group_id):
         requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_user_is_admin(self.auth, requester.user)
 
         if not self.is_mine_id(group_id):
             raise SynapseError(400, "Can only delete local groups")
@@ -809,27 +778,21 @@ class DeleteGroupAdminRestServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         defer.returnValue((200, {}))
 
 
-class AccountValidityRenewServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
-    PATTERNS = client_path_patterns("/admin/account_validity/validity$")
+class AccountValidityRenewServlet(RestServlet):
+    PATTERNS = historical_admin_path_patterns("/account_validity/validity$")
 
     def __init__(self, hs):
         """
         Args:
             hs (synapse.server.HomeServer): server
         """
-        super(AccountValidityRenewServlet, self).__init__(hs)
-
         self.hs = hs
         self.account_activity_handler = hs.get_account_validity_handler()
         self.auth = hs.get_auth()
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def on_POST(self, request):
-        requester = yield self.auth.get_user_by_req(request)
-        is_admin = yield self.auth.is_server_admin(requester.user)
-
-        if not is_admin:
-            raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
 
         body = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
 
@@ -846,8 +809,27 @@ class AccountValidityRenewServlet(ClientV1RestServlet):
         }
         defer.returnValue((200, res))
 
+########################################################################################
+#
+# please don't add more servlets here: this file is already long and unwieldy. Put
+# them in separate files within the 'admin' package.
+#
+########################################################################################
+
+
+class AdminRestResource(JsonResource):
+    """The REST resource which gets mounted at /_synapse/admin"""
+
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        JsonResource.__init__(self, hs, canonical_json=False)
+
+        register_servlets_for_client_rest_resource(hs, self)
+        SendServerNoticeServlet(hs).register(self)
+        VersionServlet(hs).register(self)
+
 
-def register_servlets(hs, http_server):
+def register_servlets_for_client_rest_resource(hs, http_server):
+    """Register only the servlets which need to be exposed on /_matrix/client/xxx"""
     WhoisRestServlet(hs).register(http_server)
     PurgeMediaCacheRestServlet(hs).register(http_server)
     PurgeHistoryStatusRestServlet(hs).register(http_server)
@@ -861,6 +843,7 @@ def register_servlets(hs, http_server):
     QuarantineMediaInRoom(hs).register(http_server)
     ListMediaInRoom(hs).register(http_server)
     UserRegisterServlet(hs).register(http_server)
-    VersionServlet(hs).register(http_server)
     DeleteGroupAdminRestServlet(hs).register(http_server)
     AccountValidityRenewServlet(hs).register(http_server)
+    # don't add more things here: new servlets should only be exposed on
+    # /_synapse/admin so should not go here. Instead register them in AdminRestResource.
diff --git a/synapse/rest/admin/_base.py b/synapse/rest/admin/_base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..881d67b89c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/rest/admin/_base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2019 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.errors import AuthError
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def assert_requester_is_admin(auth, request):
+    """Verify that the requester is an admin user
+
+    WARNING: MAKE SURE YOU YIELD ON THE RESULT!
+
+    Args:
+        auth (synapse.api.auth.Auth):
+        request (twisted.web.server.Request): incoming request
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred
+
+    Raises:
+        AuthError if the requester is not an admin
+    """
+    requester = yield auth.get_user_by_req(request)
+    yield assert_user_is_admin(auth, requester.user)
+
+
+@defer.inlineCallbacks
+def assert_user_is_admin(auth, user_id):
+    """Verify that the given user is an admin user
+
+    WARNING: MAKE SURE YOU YIELD ON THE RESULT!
+
+    Args:
+        auth (synapse.api.auth.Auth):
+        user_id (UserID):
+
+    Returns:
+        Deferred
+
+    Raises:
+        AuthError if the user is not an admin
+    """
+
+    is_admin = yield auth.is_server_admin(user_id)
+    if not is_admin:
+        raise AuthError(403, "You are not a server admin")
diff --git a/synapse/rest/admin/server_notice_servlet.py b/synapse/rest/admin/server_notice_servlet.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ae5aca9dac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/synapse/rest/admin/server_notice_servlet.py
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright 2019 New Vector Ltd
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+import re
+
+from twisted.internet import defer
+
+from synapse.api.constants import EventTypes
+from synapse.api.errors import SynapseError
+from synapse.http.servlet import (
+    RestServlet,
+    assert_params_in_dict,
+    parse_json_object_from_request,
+)
+from synapse.rest.admin import assert_requester_is_admin
+from synapse.rest.client.transactions import HttpTransactionCache
+from synapse.types import UserID
+
+
+class SendServerNoticeServlet(RestServlet):
+    """Servlet which will send a server notice to a given user
+
+    POST /_synapse/admin/v1/send_server_notice
+    {
+        "user_id": "@target_user:server_name",
+        "content": {
+            "msgtype": "m.text",
+            "body": "This is my message"
+        }
+    }
+
+    returns:
+
+    {
+        "event_id": "$1895723857jgskldgujpious"
+    }
+    """
+    def __init__(self, hs):
+        """
+        Args:
+            hs (synapse.server.HomeServer): server
+        """
+        self.hs = hs
+        self.auth = hs.get_auth()
+        self.txns = HttpTransactionCache(hs)
+        self.snm = hs.get_server_notices_manager()
+
+    def register(self, json_resource):
+        PATTERN = "^/_synapse/admin/v1/send_server_notice"
+        json_resource.register_paths(
+            "POST",
+            (re.compile(PATTERN + "$"), ),
+            self.on_POST,
+        )
+        json_resource.register_paths(
+            "PUT",
+            (re.compile(PATTERN + "/(?P<txn_id>[^/]*)$",), ),
+            self.on_PUT,
+        )
+
+    @defer.inlineCallbacks
+    def on_POST(self, request, txn_id=None):
+        yield assert_requester_is_admin(self.auth, request)
+        body = parse_json_object_from_request(request)
+        assert_params_in_dict(body, ("user_id", "content"))
+        event_type = body.get("type", EventTypes.Message)
+        state_key = body.get("state_key")
+
+        if not self.snm.is_enabled():
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Server notices are not enabled on this server")
+
+        user_id = body["user_id"]
+        UserID.from_string(user_id)
+        if not self.hs.is_mine_id(user_id):
+            raise SynapseError(400, "Server notices can only be sent to local users")
+
+        event = yield self.snm.send_notice(
+            user_id=body["user_id"],
+            type=event_type,
+            state_key=state_key,
+            event_content=body["content"],
+        )
+
+        defer.returnValue((200, {"event_id": event.event_id}))
+
+    def on_PUT(self, request, txn_id):
+        return self.txns.fetch_or_execute_request(
+            request, self.on_POST, request, txn_id,
+        )
diff --git a/synapse/util/stringutils.py b/synapse/util/stringutils.py
index fdcb375f95..69dffd8244 100644
--- a/synapse/util/stringutils.py
+++ b/synapse/util/stringutils.py
@@ -24,14 +24,19 @@ _string_with_symbols = (
     string.digits + string.ascii_letters + ".,;:^&*-_+=#~@"
 )
 
+# random_string and random_string_with_symbols are used for a range of things,
+# some cryptographically important, some less so. We use SystemRandom to make sure
+# we get cryptographically-secure randoms.
+rand = random.SystemRandom()
+
 
 def random_string(length):
-    return ''.join(random.choice(string.ascii_letters) for _ in range(length))
+    return ''.join(rand.choice(string.ascii_letters) for _ in range(length))
 
 
 def random_string_with_symbols(length):
     return ''.join(
-        random.choice(_string_with_symbols) for _ in range(length)
+        rand.choice(_string_with_symbols) for _ in range(length)
     )