From e6dd5abdfffd9e1d8f561ed8a0fc4304bc6b705e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jacob Taylor <jacob@explodie.org>
Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2026 06:36:22 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] fix: Merge nex/fix/incoming-federated-invites

---
 src/api/server/invite.rs                      | 386 +++++++++++++-----
 src/api/server/make_join.rs                   |   8 -
 src/api/server/make_knock.rs                  |   6 -
 src/api/server/make_leave.rs                  |   1 +
 src/api/server/send.rs                        |  16 +-
 src/api/server/send_join.rs                   | 179 +++-----
 src/api/server/send_knock.rs                  | 124 ++----
 src/api/server/send_leave.rs                  | 135 ++----
 src/api/server/utils.rs                       | 105 ++++-
 .../rooms/event_handler/handle_outlier_pdu.rs |   5 +-
 src/service/rooms/event_handler/pdu_checks.rs |   8 +-
 11 files changed, 522 insertions(+), 451 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/api/server/invite.rs b/src/api/server/invite.rs
index 9d2fab0e3..083c86d6d 100644
--- a/src/api/server/invite.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/invite.rs
@@ -1,23 +1,29 @@
+use std::collections::{HashMap, hash_map::Entry};
+
 use axum::extract::State;
 use axum_client_ip::ClientIp;
 use base64::{Engine as _, engine::general_purpose};
 use conduwuit::{
-	Err, Error, PduEvent, Result, err, error,
-	matrix::{Event, event::gen_event_id},
-	utils::{self, hash::sha256},
+	Err, Error, EventTypeExt, PduEvent, Result, err, error,
+	matrix::{Event, StateKey},
+	result::FlatOk,
+	state_res,
+	utils::hash::sha256,
 	warn,
 };
 use ruma::{
-	CanonicalJsonValue, UserId,
+	CanonicalJsonObject, CanonicalJsonValue, OwnedEventId, OwnedRoomId, OwnedUserId, ServerName,
+	UserId,
 	api::{
 		error::{ErrorKind, IncompatibleRoomVersionErrorData},
 		federation::membership::{RawStrippedState, create_invite},
 	},
-	events::room::member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
-	serde::JsonObject,
+	events::{StateEventType, room::member::MembershipState},
+	room_version_rules::RoomVersionRules,
 };
+use serde::Deserialize;
 
-use crate::Ruma;
+use crate::{Ruma, server::utils::validate_any_membership_event};
 
 /// # `PUT /_matrix/federation/v2/invite/{roomId}/{eventId}`
 ///
@@ -28,30 +34,16 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_invite_route(
 	ClientIp(client): ClientIp,
 	body: Ruma<create_invite::v2::Request>,
 ) -> Result<create_invite::v2::Response> {
-	// ACL check origin
-	services
-		.rooms
-		.event_handler
-		.acl_check(&body.identity, &body.room_id)
-		.await?;
-
 	if !services.server.supported_room_version(&body.room_version) {
 		return Err(Error::BadRequest(
 			ErrorKind::IncompatibleRoomVersion(IncompatibleRoomVersionErrorData::new(
 				body.room_version.clone(),
 			)),
-			"Server does not support this room version.",
+			"This server does not support that room version",
 		));
 	}
-
 	let room_version_rules = body.room_version.rules().unwrap();
 
-	if let Some(server) = body.room_id.server_name() {
-		if services.moderation.is_remote_server_forbidden(server) {
-			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
-		}
-	}
-
 	if services
 		.moderation
 		.is_remote_server_forbidden(&body.identity)
@@ -61,90 +53,54 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_invite_route(
 			body.identity, body.room_id
 		);
 
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
+		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Federation denied with {}", body.identity)));
 	}
 
-	let mut signed_event = utils::to_canonical_object(&body.event)
-		.map_err(|_| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invite event is invalid."))))?;
-
-	// Ensure this is a membership event
-	if signed_event
-		.get("type")
-		.expect("event must have a type")
-		.as_str()
-		.expect("type must be a string")
-		!= "m.room.member"
-	{
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
-			"Not allowed to send non-membership event to invite endpoint."
-		)));
-	}
-
-	let content: RoomMemberEventContent = serde_json::from_value(
-		signed_event
-			.get("content")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing content property"))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
+	// First, validate the invite room state, so we can compare with the create
+	// event.
+	let (create_event_id, state) = validate_invite_state(
+		&services,
+		&body.invite_room_state,
+		&room_version_rules,
+		body.room_id.clone(),
 	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("Event content is empty or invalid: {e}")))))?;
+	.await?;
+	let create_event_json = state
+		.get(&StateEventType::RoomCreate.with_state_key(""))
+		.expect("must have create event in invite state by this point");
 
-	// Ensure this is an invite membership event
-	if content.membership != MembershipState::Invite {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
-			"Not allowed to send a non-invite membership event to invite endpoint."
-		)));
-	}
-
-	// Ensure the sending user isn't a lying bozo
-	let sender_user = signed_event
+	// We can now perform the banned remote server check with the create event.
+	// N.B. this checks the sender field, which is technically incorrect for rooms
+	// v10 and below. This usually isn't the case though so sue me
+	let creator = create_event_json
 		.get("sender")
 		.and_then(|v| v.as_str())
 		.map(UserId::parse)
-		.and_then(Result::ok)
-		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid sender property"))))?;
-
-	if sender_user.server_name() != body.identity {
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Sender's server does not match the origin server.",)));
-	}
-
-	// Ensure the target user belongs to this server
-	let recipient_user = signed_event
-		.get("state_key")
-		.and_then(|v| v.as_str())
-		.map(UserId::parse)
-		.and_then(Result::ok)
-		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid state_key property"))))?;
-
-	if !services
-		.globals
-		.server_is_ours(recipient_user.server_name())
+		.flat_ok()
+		.expect("must have valid sender in create event");
+	if services
+		.moderation
+		.is_remote_server_forbidden(creator.server_name())
 	{
-		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("User does not belong to this homeserver.")));
+		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
 	}
 
-	// Make sure we're not ACL'ed from their room.
-	services
-		.rooms
-		.event_handler
-		.acl_check(recipient_user.server_name(), &body.room_id)
-		.await?;
-
-	services
-		.server_keys
-		.hash_and_sign_event(&mut signed_event, &room_version_rules)
-		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Failed to sign event: {e}"))))?;
-
-	// Generate event id
-	let event_id = gen_event_id(&signed_event, &room_version_rules)?;
-
-	// Add event_id back
-	signed_event.insert("event_id".to_owned(), CanonicalJsonValue::String(event_id.to_string()));
+	// And then we can validate the member event itself
+	let (mut signed_event, sender_user, recipient_user) = validate_invite_membership_event(
+		&services,
+		&body.event,
+		&room_version_rules,
+		&body.identity,
+		create_event_id.clone(),
+		body.room_id.clone(),
+		body.event_id.clone(),
+	)
+	.await?;
 
 	if services.rooms.metadata.is_banned(&body.room_id).await
 		&& !services.users.is_admin(&recipient_user).await
 	{
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("This room is banned on this homeserver.")));
+		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("That room is banned on this homeserver.")));
 	}
 
 	if services.config.block_non_admin_invites && !services.users.is_admin(&recipient_user).await
@@ -161,30 +117,57 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_invite_route(
 		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Invite rejected by antispam service.")));
 	}
 
+	// If we're already in the room, ensure that neither the origin nor ourselves
+	// are ACL'd.
+	let resident = services
+		.rooms
+		.state_cache
+		.server_in_room(services.globals.server_name(), &body.room_id)
+		.await;
+	if resident {
+		services
+			.rooms
+			.event_handler
+			.acl_check(&body.identity, &body.room_id)
+			.await?;
+		services
+			.rooms
+			.event_handler
+			.acl_check(recipient_user.server_name(), &body.room_id)
+			.await
+			.map_err(|_| err!(Request(Forbidden("This server is ACL'd from that room"))))?;
+	}
+
+	services
+		.server_keys
+		.hash_and_sign_event(&mut signed_event, &room_version_rules)
+		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Failed to sign event: {e}"))))?;
+
+	// Add event_id back
+	signed_event
+		.insert("event_id".to_owned(), CanonicalJsonValue::String(body.event_id.to_string()));
+
 	let mut invite_state = body.invite_room_state.clone();
-
-	let mut event: JsonObject = serde_json::from_str(body.event.get())
-		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson("Invalid invite event PDU: {e}"))))?;
-
-	event.insert("event_id".to_owned(), "$placeholder".into());
-
-	let pdu: PduEvent = serde_json::from_value(event.into())
-		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson("Invalid invite event PDU: {e}"))))?;
-
-	invite_state.push(RawStrippedState::Pdu(
-		serde_json::value::to_raw_value(&pdu).expect("PDU was just created, it must be valid"),
-	));
+	let pdu = PduEvent::from_id_val(&body.event_id, signed_event.clone())
+		.expect("must be able to create PDU object");
+	invite_state.push(RawStrippedState::Pdu(serde_json::value::to_raw_value(&signed_event)?));
 
 	// If we are active in the room, the remote server will notify us about the
 	// join/invite through /send. If we are not in the room, we need to manually
 	// record the invited state for client /sync through update_membership(), and
 	// send the invite PDU to the relevant appservices.
-	if !services
-		.rooms
-		.state_cache
-		.server_in_room(services.globals.server_name(), &body.room_id)
-		.await
-	{
+	if !resident {
+		// We will start by recording the room's create event as an outlier.
+		// This will allow us to recognise it later in case the sender revokes the
+		// invite over federation later. We could store more state from the invite
+		// request, but we will get that during send_join anyway.
+		// This is safe to just add directly as an outlier as we already auth checked it
+		// during validation.
+		services
+			.rooms
+			.outlier
+			.add_pdu_outlier(&create_event_id, create_event_json);
+
 		services
 			.rooms
 			.state_cache
@@ -240,3 +223,186 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_invite_route(
 			.await,
 	))
 }
+
+/// Validates the *membership event* in the invite request, per the steps listed
+/// under the invite endpoint's [spec].
+///
+/// Returns the validated JSON body, sender user ID, and recipient user ID.
+///
+/// Since this function performs a PDU format check, the create event must be
+/// known ahead of time. This implies validating the invite state before the
+/// invite event itself.
+///
+/// [spec]: https://spec.matrix.org/v1.19/server-server-api/#put_matrixfederationv2inviteroomideventid
+async fn validate_invite_membership_event(
+	services: &crate::State,
+	body: &serde_json::value::RawValue,
+	room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
+	origin: &ServerName,
+	create_event_id: OwnedEventId,
+	room_id: OwnedRoomId,
+	event_id: OwnedEventId,
+) -> Result<(CanonicalJsonObject, OwnedUserId, OwnedUserId)> {
+	let (pdu, target_membership, sender_user, recipient_user) = validate_any_membership_event(
+		services,
+		body,
+		room_version_rules,
+		create_event_id,
+		room_id,
+		event_id,
+	)
+	.await?;
+
+	// Ensure the sender belongs to the remote that is sending the invite
+	if sender_user.server_name() != origin {
+		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Sender belongs to a different server")));
+	}
+
+	// Ensure the target user belongs to this server
+	if !services
+		.globals
+		.server_is_ours(recipient_user.server_name())
+	{
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Recipient does not belong to this homeserver")));
+	}
+
+	if target_membership != MembershipState::Invite {
+		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Invalid membership (expected `invite`)")));
+	}
+
+	Ok((pdu, sender_user, recipient_user))
+}
+
+/// Validates the *invite state* of an invite request, per the steps listed
+/// under the endpoint's [spec].
+///
+/// Returns the create event's event ID, and the partial state map.
+///
+/// [spec]: https://spec.matrix.org/v1.19/server-server-api/#put_matrixfederationv2inviteroomideventid
+async fn validate_invite_state(
+	services: &crate::State,
+	invite_state: &[RawStrippedState],
+	room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
+	room_id: OwnedRoomId,
+) -> Result<(OwnedEventId, HashMap<(StateEventType, StateKey), CanonicalJsonObject>)> {
+	let mut invite_state_map: HashMap<(StateEventType, StateKey), _> =
+		HashMap::with_capacity(invite_state.len());
+	let mut create_event_id: Option<OwnedEventId> = None;
+	for (idx, invite_state_event) in invite_state.iter().cloned().enumerate() {
+		// Stripped state hasn't been sent over federation since v1.16.
+		let RawStrippedState::Pdu(raw_pdu) = invite_state_event else {
+			return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+				"PDU in invite state (index {idx}) violates the room event format"
+			)));
+		};
+		let (state_event_room_id, state_event_id, state_event_json) = services
+			.rooms
+			.event_handler
+			.parse_incoming_pdu(&raw_pdu)
+			.await
+			.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid PDU in invite state: {e}"))))?;
+
+		if state_event_room_id != room_id {
+			return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+				"PDU in invite state ({state_event_id}) belongs to the wrong room"
+			)));
+		}
+
+		services
+			.server_keys
+			.verify_event(&state_event_json, room_version_rules)
+			.await
+			.map_err(|e| {
+				err!(Request(InvalidParam("Signature verification failed on invite event: {e}")))
+			})?;
+
+		let Some(state_key) = state_event_json.get("state_key").and_then(|k| k.as_str()) else {
+			return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+				"PDU in invite state ({state_event_id}) is not a state event"
+			)));
+		};
+		let Some(event_type) = state_event_json.get("event_type").and_then(|k| k.as_str()) else {
+			return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+				"PDU in invite state ({state_event_id}) is not an event?"
+			)));
+		};
+
+		let key = StateEventType::from(event_type).with_state_key(state_key);
+		match invite_state_map.entry(key) {
+			| Entry::Occupied(entry) =>
+				return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+					"Duplicate state events in invite state for state key: {:?}",
+					entry.key(),
+				))),
+			| Entry::Vacant(entry) => {
+				if entry.key().0 == StateEventType::RoomCreate {
+					// Ensure this is a legal create event.
+					let pdu_event =
+						PduEvent::from_id_val(&state_event_id, state_event_json.clone())
+							.expect("must be able to create pdu event from event json");
+					validate_invite_create_event(&pdu_event, room_version_rules).await?;
+					create_event_id = Some(state_event_id);
+				}
+				entry.insert(state_event_json);
+			},
+		}
+	}
+	let Some(create_event_id) = create_event_id else {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+			"Invite state does not contain the m.room.create event"
+		)));
+	};
+	invite_state_map.iter().try_for_each(|(key, event_json)| {
+		service::rooms::event_handler::Service::pdu_format_check_1(
+			event_json,
+			room_version_rules,
+			&create_event_id,
+		)
+		.map_err(|e| {
+			err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+				"PDU in invite state for {key:?} violates the room event format: {e}"
+			)))
+		})
+	})?;
+
+	Ok((create_event_id, invite_state_map))
+}
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+struct MFederate {
+	#[serde(rename = "m.federate")]
+	mfederate: Option<bool>,
+}
+
+/// Validates that a create event is suitable for the invite, namely:
+///
+/// 1. It passes auth checks (aka is valid)
+/// 2. The room is federated (there's no point persisting unfederated rooms)
+async fn validate_invite_create_event(
+	pdu: &PduEvent,
+	room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
+) -> Result {
+	if !state_res::auth_check(
+		room_version_rules,
+		pdu,
+		None,
+		|_, _| async {
+			unreachable!("No state should be fetched when processing a lone create event");
+		},
+		pdu,
+	)
+	.await
+	.unwrap_or_default()
+	{
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("m.room.create event fails auth check")));
+	}
+
+	let can_federate = pdu.get_content::<MFederate>()?.mfederate;
+	if !can_federate.unwrap_or(true) {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+			"Cannot receive invites to a room with m.federate=false"
+		)));
+	}
+
+	Ok(())
+}
diff --git a/src/api/server/make_join.rs b/src/api/server/make_join.rs
index 2da92752b..d9b7a38c8 100644
--- a/src/api/server/make_join.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/make_join.rs
@@ -75,14 +75,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_join_event_template_route(
 		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
 	}
 
-	if let Some(server) = body.room_id.server_name() {
-		if services.moderation.is_remote_server_forbidden(server) {
-			return Err!(Request(Forbidden(warn!(
-				"Room ID server name {server} is banned on this homeserver."
-			))));
-		}
-	}
-
 	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(&body.room_id).await?;
 	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
 	if !body.ver.contains(&room_version) {
diff --git a/src/api/server/make_knock.rs b/src/api/server/make_knock.rs
index d6cadf02d..4c918daa8 100644
--- a/src/api/server/make_knock.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/make_knock.rs
@@ -58,12 +58,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_knock_event_template_route(
 		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
 	}
 
-	if let Some(server) = body.room_id.server_name() {
-		if services.moderation.is_remote_server_forbidden(server) {
-			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
-		}
-	}
-
 	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(&body.room_id).await?;
 	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
 
diff --git a/src/api/server/make_leave.rs b/src/api/server/make_leave.rs
index 168e235d7..1a472aa69 100644
--- a/src/api/server/make_leave.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/make_leave.rs
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_leave_event_template_route(
 	{
 		info!(
 			origin = body.identity.as_str(),
+			room_id = %body.room_id,
 			"Refusing to serve make_leave for room we aren't participating in"
 		);
 		return Err!(Request(NotFound("This server is not participating in that room.")));
diff --git a/src/api/server/send.rs b/src/api/server/send.rs
index cb3a8eeea..7b51ee014 100644
--- a/src/api/server/send.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/send.rs
@@ -296,12 +296,16 @@ async fn handle_room(
 	// Try to sort PDUs by their dependencies, but fall back to arbitrary order on
 	// failure (e.g., cycles). This is best-effort; proper ordering is the sender's
 	// responsibility.
-	let sorted_event_ids = build_local_dag(&pdu_map, DagBuilderTree::PrevEvents)
-		.await
-		.unwrap_or_else(|e| {
-			debug_warn!("Failed to build local DAG for room {room_id}: {e}");
-			pdu_map.keys().cloned().collect()
-		});
+	let sorted_event_ids = if pdu_map.len() >= 2 {
+		build_local_dag(&pdu_map, DagBuilderTree::PrevEvents)
+			.await
+			.unwrap_or_else(|e| {
+				debug_warn!("Failed to build local DAG for room {room_id}: {e}");
+				pdu_map.keys().cloned().collect()
+			})
+	} else {
+		pdu_map.keys().cloned().collect()
+	};
 	let mut results = Vec::with_capacity(sorted_event_ids.len());
 	for event_id in sorted_event_ids {
 		let value = pdu_map
diff --git a/src/api/server/send_join.rs b/src/api/server/send_join.rs
index b72c4c18a..0b8855239 100644
--- a/src/api/server/send_join.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/send_join.rs
@@ -2,26 +2,25 @@
 
 use axum::extract::State;
 use conduwuit::{
-	Err, Event, Result, at, debug, err, info,
-	matrix::event::gen_event_id_canonical_json,
-	trace,
+	Err, Event, Result, at, debug, err, info, trace,
 	utils::stream::{BroadbandExt, IterStream, TryBroadbandExt},
 	warn,
 };
 use conduwuit_service::Services;
 use futures::{FutureExt, StreamExt, TryStreamExt};
 use ruma::{
-	CanonicalJsonValue, OwnedEventId, OwnedRoomId, OwnedUserId, RoomId, ServerName,
+	CanonicalJsonObject, CanonicalJsonValue, EventId, OwnedEventId, RoomId, ServerName, UserId,
 	api::federation::membership::create_join_event,
 	assign,
 	events::{
-		StateEventType, TimelineEventType,
+		TimelineEventType,
 		room::member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
 	},
+	room_version_rules::RoomVersionRules,
 };
-use serde_json::value::{RawValue as RawJsonValue, to_raw_value};
+use serde_json::value::to_raw_value;
 
-use crate::Ruma;
+use crate::{Ruma, server::utils::validate_any_membership_event};
 
 /// helper method for /send_join v1 and v2
 #[tracing::instrument(skip(services, pdu, omit_members), fields(room_id = room_id.as_str(), origin = origin.as_str()), level = "info")]
@@ -29,7 +28,9 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 	services: &Services,
 	origin: &ServerName,
 	room_id: &RoomId,
-	pdu: &RawJsonValue,
+	event_id: &EventId,
+	room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
+	mut pdu: CanonicalJsonObject,
 	omit_members: bool,
 ) -> Result<create_join_event::v2::RoomState> {
 	if !services.rooms.metadata.exists(room_id).await {
@@ -43,6 +44,7 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 	{
 		info!(
 			origin = origin.as_str(),
+			room_id = %room_id,
 			"Refusing to serve send_join for room we aren't participating in"
 		);
 		return Err!(Request(NotFound("This server is not participating in that room.")));
@@ -64,94 +66,25 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 		.await
 		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(NotFound(error!("Room has no state: {e}")))))?;
 
-	// We do not add the event_id field to the pdu here because of signature and
-	// hashes checks
-	trace!("Getting room version");
-	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(room_id).await?;
-	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
-
-	trace!("Generating event ID and converting to canonical json");
-	let Ok((event_id, mut value)) = gen_event_id_canonical_json(pdu, &room_version_rules) else {
-		// Event could not be converted to canonical json
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Could not convert event to canonical json.")));
-	};
-
-	let event_room_id: OwnedRoomId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("room_id")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing room_id property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("room_id field is not a valid room ID: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if event_room_id != room_id {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Event room_id does not match request path room ID.")));
-	}
-
-	let event_type: StateEventType = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("type")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing type property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("Event has invalid state event type: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if event_type != StateEventType::RoomMember {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
-			"Not allowed to send non-membership state event to join endpoint."
-		)));
-	}
+	let sender = pdu
+		.get("sender")
+		.and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+		.map(UserId::parse)
+		.and_then(Result::ok)
+		.expect("sender was already validated");
 
 	let content: RoomMemberEventContent = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("content")
+		pdu.get("content")
 			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing content property"))))?
 			.clone()
 			.into(),
 	)
 	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("Event content is empty or invalid: {e}")))))?;
 
-	if content.membership != MembershipState::Join {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
-			"Not allowed to send a non-join membership event to join endpoint."
-		)));
-	}
-
-	let sender: OwnedUserId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("sender")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing sender property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("sender property is not a valid user ID: {e}")))))?;
-
-	// check if origin server is trying to send for another server
-	if sender.server_name() != origin {
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Not allowed to join on behalf of another server.")));
-	}
-
-	let state_key: OwnedUserId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("state_key")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing state_key property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("State key is not a valid user ID: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if state_key != sender {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("State key does not match sender user.")));
-	}
-
 	if let Some(authorising_user) = content.join_authorized_via_users_server {
-		use ruma::RoomVersionId::*;
-
-		if matches!(room_version, V1 | V2 | V3 | V4 | V5 | V6 | V7) {
+		if !room_version_rules.authorization.restricted_join_rule {
 			return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
-				"Room version {room_version} does not support restricted rooms but \
+				"Room version does not support restricted rooms but \
 				 join_authorised_via_users_server ({authorising_user}) was found in the event."
 			)));
 		}
@@ -174,8 +107,7 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 				 they cannot authorise your join."
 			)));
 		}
-
-		if !super::user_can_perform_restricted_join(services, &state_key, room_id).await? {
+		if !super::user_can_perform_restricted_join(services, &sender, room_id).await? {
 			return Err!(Request(UnableToAuthorizeJoin(
 				"Joining user did not pass restricted room's rules."
 			)));
@@ -183,7 +115,7 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 
 		services
 			.server_keys
-			.hash_and_sign_event(&mut value, &room_version_rules)
+			.hash_and_sign_event(&mut pdu, room_version_rules)
 			.map_err(|e| {
 				err!(Request(InvalidParam(warn!("Failed to sign send_join event: {e}"))))
 			})?;
@@ -200,7 +132,7 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 	let pdu_id = services
 		.rooms
 		.event_handler
-		.handle_incoming_pdu(sender.server_name(), room_id, &event_id, value.clone(), false)
+		.handle_incoming_pdu(sender.server_name(), room_id, event_id, pdu.clone(), false)
 		.boxed()
 		.await?
 		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Could not accept as timeline event."))))?;
@@ -220,14 +152,12 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 		.iter()
 		.try_stream()
 		.broad_filter_map(|event_id| async move {
-			if omit_members {
-				if let Ok(e) = event_id.as_ref() {
-					let pdu = services.rooms.timeline.get_pdu(e).await;
-					if pdu.is_ok_and(|p| *p.kind() == TimelineEventType::RoomMember) {
-						trace!("omitting member event {e:?} from returned state");
-						// skip members
-						return None;
-					}
+			if omit_members && let Ok(e) = event_id.as_ref() {
+				let pdu = services.rooms.timeline.get_pdu(e).await;
+				if pdu.is_ok_and(|p| *p.kind() == TimelineEventType::RoomMember) {
+					trace!("omitting member event {e:?} from returned state");
+					// skip members
+					return None;
 				}
 			}
 			Some(event_id)
@@ -289,7 +219,7 @@ async fn create_join_event(
 	Ok(assign!(create_join_event::v2::RoomState::new(), {
 		auth_chain,
 		state,
-		event: to_raw_value(&CanonicalJsonValue::Object(value)).ok(),
+		event: to_raw_value(&CanonicalJsonValue::Object(pdu)).ok(),
 		members_omitted: omit_members,
 		servers_in_room,
 	}))
@@ -309,24 +239,45 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_join_event_v2_route(
 		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
 	}
 
-	if let Some(server) = body.room_id.server_name() {
-		if services.moderation.is_remote_server_forbidden(server) {
-			warn!(
-				"Server {} tried joining room ID {} through us which has a server name that is \
-				 globally forbidden. Rejecting.",
-				body.identity, &body.room_id,
-			);
-			return Err!(Request(Forbidden(warn!(
-				"Room ID server name {server} is banned on this homeserver."
-			))));
-		}
+	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(&body.room_id).await?;
+	let create_event = services
+		.rooms
+		.state_accessor
+		.get_room_create_event(&body.room_id)
+		.await;
+	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
+
+	let (value, membership, sender, target) = validate_any_membership_event(
+		&services,
+		&body.pdu,
+		&room_version_rules,
+		create_event.event_id.clone(),
+		body.room_id.clone(),
+		body.event_id.clone(),
+	)
+	.await?;
+	if membership != MembershipState::Join {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid membership (expected `join`)")));
+	}
+	if sender.server_name() != body.identity {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Sender belongs to a different server")));
+	}
+	if sender != target {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Sender does not match state key")));
 	}
 
 	let now = Instant::now();
-	let room_state =
-		create_join_event(&services, &body.identity, &body.room_id, &body.pdu, body.omit_members)
-			.boxed()
-			.await?;
+	let room_state = create_join_event(
+		&services,
+		&body.identity,
+		&body.room_id,
+		&body.event_id,
+		&room_version_rules,
+		value,
+		body.omit_members,
+	)
+	.boxed()
+	.await?;
 	info!(
 		"Finished sending a join for {} in {} in {:?}",
 		body.identity,
diff --git a/src/api/server/send_knock.rs b/src/api/server/send_knock.rs
index 377a8792d..905b73a65 100644
--- a/src/api/server/send_knock.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/send_knock.rs
@@ -1,21 +1,11 @@
 use axum::extract::State;
-use conduwuit::{
-	Err, Result, err, info,
-	matrix::{event::gen_event_id_canonical_json, pdu::PduEvent},
-	warn,
-};
+use conduwuit::{Err, Event, Result, debug_info, err, matrix::pdu::PduEvent, warn};
 use futures::FutureExt;
 use ruma::{
-	OwnedUserId,
-	api::federation::membership::create_knock_event,
-	events::{
-		StateEventType,
-		room::member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
-	},
-	serde::JsonObject,
+	api::federation::membership::create_knock_event, events::room::member::MembershipState,
 };
 
-use crate::Ruma;
+use crate::{Ruma, server::utils::validate_any_membership_event};
 
 /// # `PUT /_matrix/federation/v1/send_knock/{roomId}/{eventId}`
 ///
@@ -33,18 +23,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_knock_event_v1_route(
 			 forbidden. Rejecting.",
 			body.identity, &body.room_id,
 		);
-		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
-	}
-
-	if let Some(server) = body.room_id.server_name() {
-		if services.moderation.is_remote_server_forbidden(server) {
-			warn!(
-				"Server {} tried knocking room ID {} which has a server name that is globally \
-				 forbidden. Rejecting.",
-				body.identity, &body.room_id,
-			);
-			return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Server is banned on this homeserver.")));
-		}
+		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Federation denied with {}", body.identity)));
 	}
 
 	if !services.rooms.metadata.exists(&body.room_id).await {
@@ -57,8 +36,9 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_knock_event_v1_route(
 		.server_in_room(services.globals.server_name(), &body.room_id)
 		.await
 	{
-		info!(
+		debug_info!(
 			origin = body.identity.as_str(),
+			room_id = %body.room_id,
 			"Refusing to serve send_knock for room we aren't participating in"
 		);
 		return Err!(Request(NotFound("This server is not participating in that room.")));
@@ -72,88 +52,40 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_knock_event_v1_route(
 		.await?;
 
 	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(&body.room_id).await?;
+	let create_event = services
+		.rooms
+		.state_accessor
+		.get_room_create_event(&body.room_id)
+		.await;
 	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
 
 	if !room_version_rules.authorization.knocking {
 		return Err!(Request(Forbidden("Room version does not support knocking.")));
 	}
 
-	let Ok((event_id, value)) = gen_event_id_canonical_json(&body.pdu, &room_version_rules)
-	else {
-		// Event could not be converted to canonical json
-		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Could not convert event to canonical json.")));
-	};
-
-	let event_type: StateEventType = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("type")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Event has no event type."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
+	let (mut event, target_membership, sender, target) = validate_any_membership_event(
+		&services,
+		&body.pdu,
+		&room_version_rules,
+		create_event.event_id().to_owned(),
+		body.room_id.clone(),
+		body.event_id.clone(),
 	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Event has invalid event type: {e}"))))?;
+	.await?;
 
-	if event_type != StateEventType::RoomMember {
-		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
-			"Not allowed to send non-membership state event to knock endpoint.",
-		)));
+	if target_membership != MembershipState::Knock {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid membership (expected `knock`)")));
 	}
-
-	let content: RoomMemberEventContent = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("content")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Membership event has no content"))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Event has invalid membership content: {e}"))))?;
-
-	if content.membership != MembershipState::Knock {
-		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
-			"Not allowed to send a non-knock membership event to knock endpoint."
-		)));
-	}
-
-	// ACL check sender server name
-	let sender: OwnedUserId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("sender")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Event has no sender user ID."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson("Event sender is not a valid user ID: {e}"))))?;
-
-	services
-		.rooms
-		.event_handler
-		.acl_check(sender.server_name(), &body.room_id)
-		.await?;
-
-	// check if origin server is trying to send for another server
 	if sender.server_name() != body.identity {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Not allowed to knock on behalf of another server/user.")));
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Sender belongs to a different server")));
+	}
+	if sender != target {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Sender does not match state key")));
 	}
 
-	let state_key: OwnedUserId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("state_key")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Event does not have a state_key"))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson("Event does not have a valid state_key: {e}"))))?;
+	event.insert("event_id".to_owned(), body.event_id.as_str().into());
 
-	if state_key != sender {
-		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("state_key does not match sender user of event.")));
-	}
-
-	let mut event: JsonObject = serde_json::from_str(body.pdu.get())
-		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid knock event PDU: {e}"))))?;
-
-	event.insert("event_id".to_owned(), "$placeholder".into());
-
-	let pdu: PduEvent = serde_json::from_value(event.into())
+	let pdu = PduEvent::from_id_val(&body.event_id, event.clone())
 		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid knock event PDU: {e}"))))?;
 
 	let mutex_lock = services
@@ -166,7 +98,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_knock_event_v1_route(
 	let pdu_id = services
 		.rooms
 		.event_handler
-		.handle_incoming_pdu(sender.server_name(), &body.room_id, &event_id, value.clone(), false)
+		.handle_incoming_pdu(sender.server_name(), &body.room_id, &body.event_id, event, false)
 		.boxed()
 		.await?
 		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Could not accept as timeline event."))))?;
diff --git a/src/api/server/send_leave.rs b/src/api/server/send_leave.rs
index 121683224..cbbb4d475 100644
--- a/src/api/server/send_leave.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/send_leave.rs
@@ -1,18 +1,11 @@
 use axum::extract::State;
-use conduwuit::{Err, Result, err, info, matrix::event::gen_event_id_canonical_json};
-use conduwuit_service::Services;
+use conduwuit::{Err, Result, debug_info, err};
 use futures::FutureExt;
 use ruma::{
-	OwnedRoomId, OwnedUserId, RoomId, ServerName,
-	api::federation::membership::create_leave_event,
-	events::{
-		StateEventType,
-		room::member::{MembershipState, RoomMemberEventContent},
-	},
+	api::federation::membership::create_leave_event, events::room::member::MembershipState,
 };
-use serde_json::value::RawValue as RawJsonValue;
 
-use crate::Ruma;
+use crate::{Ruma, server::utils::validate_any_membership_event};
 
 /// # `PUT /_matrix/federation/v2/send_leave/{roomId}/{eventId}`
 ///
@@ -21,17 +14,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn create_leave_event_v2_route(
 	State(services): State<crate::State>,
 	body: Ruma<create_leave_event::v2::Request>,
 ) -> Result<create_leave_event::v2::Response> {
-	create_leave_event(&services, &body.identity, &body.room_id, &body.pdu).await?;
-
-	Ok(create_leave_event::v2::Response::new())
-}
-
-async fn create_leave_event(
-	services: &Services,
-	origin: &ServerName,
-	room_id: &RoomId,
-	pdu: &RawJsonValue,
-) -> Result {
+	let room_id = body.room_id.as_ref();
+	let origin = &body.identity;
 	if !services.rooms.metadata.exists(room_id).await {
 		return Err!(Request(NotFound("Room is unknown to this server.")));
 	}
@@ -42,9 +26,10 @@ async fn create_leave_event(
 		.server_in_room(services.globals.server_name(), room_id)
 		.await
 	{
-		info!(
+		debug_info!(
 			origin = origin.as_str(),
-			"Refusing to serve backfill for room we aren't participating in"
+			room_id = %room_id,
+			"Refusing to send_leave for room we aren't participating in"
 		);
 		return Err!(Request(NotFound("This server is not participating in that room.")));
 	}
@@ -56,91 +41,31 @@ async fn create_leave_event(
 		.acl_check(origin, room_id)
 		.await?;
 
-	// We do not add the event_id field to the pdu here because of signature and
-	// hashes checks
 	let room_version = services.rooms.state.get_room_version(room_id).await?;
+	let create_event = services
+		.rooms
+		.state_accessor
+		.get_room_create_event(room_id)
+		.await;
 	let room_version_rules = room_version.rules().unwrap();
 
-	let Ok((event_id, value)) = gen_event_id_canonical_json(pdu, &room_version_rules) else {
-		// Event could not be converted to canonical json
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Could not convert event to canonical json.")));
-	};
-
-	let event_room_id: OwnedRoomId = serde_json::from_value(
-		serde_json::to_value(
-			value
-				.get("room_id")
-				.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing room_id property."))))?,
-		)
-		.expect("CanonicalJson is valid json value"),
+	let (value, membership, sender, target) = validate_any_membership_event(
+		&services,
+		&body.pdu,
+		&room_version_rules,
+		create_event.event_id.clone(),
+		body.room_id.clone(),
+		body.event_id.clone(),
 	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("room_id field is not a valid room ID: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if event_room_id != room_id {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Event room_id does not match request path room ID.")));
+	.await?;
+	if membership != MembershipState::Leave {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid membership (expected `leave`)")));
 	}
-
-	let content: RoomMemberEventContent = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("content")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing content property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("Event content is empty or invalid: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if content.membership != MembershipState::Leave {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
-			"Not allowed to send a non-leave membership event to leave endpoint."
-		)));
+	if sender.server_name() != body.identity {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Sender belongs to a different server")));
 	}
-
-	let event_type: StateEventType = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("type")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing type property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("Event has invalid state event type: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if event_type != StateEventType::RoomMember {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
-			"Not allowed to send non-membership state event to leave endpoint."
-		)));
-	}
-
-	// ACL check sender server name
-	let sender: OwnedUserId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("sender")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing sender property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("sender property is not a valid user ID: {e}")))))?;
-
-	services
-		.rooms
-		.event_handler
-		.acl_check(sender.server_name(), room_id)
-		.await?;
-
-	if sender.server_name() != origin {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("Not allowed to leave on behalf of another server/user.")));
-	}
-
-	let state_key: OwnedUserId = serde_json::from_value(
-		value
-			.get("state_key")
-			.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing state_key property."))))?
-			.clone()
-			.into(),
-	)
-	.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson(warn!("State key is not a valid user ID: {e}")))))?;
-
-	if state_key != sender {
-		return Err!(Request(BadJson("State key does not match sender user.")));
+	if sender != target {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Sender does not match state key")));
 	}
 
 	let mutex_lock = services
@@ -153,7 +78,7 @@ async fn create_leave_event(
 	let pdu_id = services
 		.rooms
 		.event_handler
-		.handle_incoming_pdu(origin, room_id, &event_id, value, false)
+		.handle_incoming_pdu(origin, room_id, &body.event_id, value, false)
 		.boxed()
 		.await?
 		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Could not accept as timeline event."))))?;
@@ -164,5 +89,7 @@ async fn create_leave_event(
 		.sending
 		.send_pdu_room(room_id, &pdu_id)
 		.boxed()
-		.await
+		.await?;
+
+	Ok(create_leave_event::v2::Response::new())
 }
diff --git a/src/api/server/utils.rs b/src/api/server/utils.rs
index 52912dfdc..b420c59a9 100644
--- a/src/api/server/utils.rs
+++ b/src/api/server/utils.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
-use conduwuit::{Err, Result, is_false};
+use conduwuit::{Err, Result, err, is_false};
 use conduwuit_service::Services;
 use futures::{FutureExt, future::OptionFuture, join};
-use ruma::{EventId, RoomId, ServerName};
+use ruma::{
+	CanonicalJsonObject, EventId, OwnedEventId, OwnedRoomId, OwnedUserId, RoomId, ServerName,
+	UserId, events::room::member::MembershipState, room_version_rules::RoomVersionRules,
+};
 
 pub(super) struct AccessCheck<'a> {
 	pub(super) services: &'a Services,
@@ -63,3 +66,101 @@ pub(super) async fn assert(&self) -> Result {
 		Ok(())
 	}
 }
+
+/// Performs validation on a membership event that should be run on any event a
+/// remote is trying to send via us.
+///
+/// ## Checks performed
+///
+/// 1. PDU room ID matches request path room ID
+/// 2. PDU event ID matches request path event ID
+/// 3. Signature check
+/// 4. Event type check
+/// 5. `sender` field presence (and parsing)
+/// 6. `state_key` field presence (and parsing)
+/// 7. PDU room format check (PDU check 1)
+///
+/// ## Returns
+///
+/// A resulting tuple of (PDU JSON, target membership state, sender, recipient).
+pub(crate) async fn validate_any_membership_event(
+	services: &crate::State,
+	body: &serde_json::value::RawValue,
+	room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
+	create_event_id: OwnedEventId,
+	expected_room_id: OwnedRoomId,
+	expected_event_id: OwnedEventId,
+) -> Result<(CanonicalJsonObject, MembershipState, OwnedUserId, OwnedUserId)> {
+	let (template_room_id, template_event_id, pdu) = services
+		.rooms
+		.event_handler
+		.parse_incoming_pdu(body)
+		.await
+		.map_err(|e| err!(Request(BadJson("Invalid membership PDU: {e}"))))?;
+
+	if template_room_id != expected_room_id {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam("Membership event does not belong to requested room")));
+	}
+	if template_event_id != expected_event_id {
+		return Err!(Request(InvalidParam(
+			"Membership event ID does not match provided event ID"
+		)));
+	}
+
+	services
+		.server_keys
+		.verify_event(&pdu, room_version_rules)
+		.await
+		.map_err(|e| {
+			err!(Request(InvalidParam("Signature verification failed on membership event: {e}")))
+		})?;
+
+	// Ensure this is a membership event
+	if pdu
+		.get("type")
+		.expect("event must have a type")
+		.as_str()
+		.expect("type must be a string")
+		!= "m.room.member"
+	{
+		return Err!(Request(BadJson(
+			"Not allowed to send non-membership event to this endpoint"
+		)));
+	}
+	let membership = pdu
+		.get("content")
+		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing content property"))))?
+		.as_object()
+		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event content is not an object"))))?
+		.get("membership")
+		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event missing membership property"))))?
+		.as_str()
+		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(BadJson("Event is not a string"))))?
+		.to_owned();
+
+	let sender_user = pdu
+		.get("sender")
+		.and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+		.map(UserId::parse)
+		.and_then(Result::ok)
+		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid sender property"))))?;
+	let recipient_user = pdu
+		.get("state_key")
+		.and_then(|v| v.as_str())
+		.map(UserId::parse)
+		.and_then(Result::ok)
+		.ok_or_else(|| err!(Request(InvalidParam("Invalid state_key property"))))?;
+
+	// Do a quick format check. The spec doesn't suggest this, but it's probably
+	// a good idea nonetheless.
+	service::rooms::event_handler::Service::pdu_format_check_1(
+		&pdu,
+		room_version_rules,
+		&create_event_id,
+	)
+	.map_err(|e| {
+		err!(Request(InvalidParam("Membership event violates the room event format: {e}")))
+	})?;
+
+	Ok((pdu, membership.into(), sender_user, recipient_user))
+}
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/handle_outlier_pdu.rs b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/handle_outlier_pdu.rs
index 72285406d..843dea038 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/handle_outlier_pdu.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/handle_outlier_pdu.rs
@@ -14,10 +14,12 @@ impl super::Service {
 	/// This performs steps 1 through 4 of [S-S section 5.1][spec], returning
 	/// the parsed PDU and modified JSON object.
 	///
+	/// **External callers likely want `handle_incoming_pdu` instead.**
+	///
 	/// [spec]: https://spec.matrix.org/v1.19/server-server-api/#checks-performed-on-receipt-of-a-pdu
 	#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 	#[tracing::instrument(name = "handle_outlier", skip_all)]
-	pub(super) async fn handle_outlier_pdu<'a, Pdu>(
+	pub async fn handle_outlier_pdu<'a, Pdu>(
 		&self,
 		origin: &'a ServerName,
 		create_event: &'a Pdu,
@@ -54,7 +56,6 @@ pub(super) async fn handle_outlier_pdu<'a, Pdu>(
 			})?;
 
 		value.remove("unsigned");
-		let room_version_rules = get_room_version_rules(create_event)?;
 
 		// 2. Check signatures, otherwise drop.
 		// 3. Check content hash, redacting the event if it fails.
diff --git a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/pdu_checks.rs b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/pdu_checks.rs
index 1288b97a9..1f84e2b41 100644
--- a/src/service/rooms/event_handler/pdu_checks.rs
+++ b/src/service/rooms/event_handler/pdu_checks.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ impl super::Service {
 	/// Checks that the PDU conforms to the PDU format (check 1). This is
 	/// already mostly done during deserialisation, so this function just checks
 	/// that the PDU isn't a too large.
-	pub(super) fn pdu_format_check_1(
+	pub fn pdu_format_check_1(
 		pdu_json: &CanonicalJsonObject,
 		room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
 		create_event_id: &EventId,
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ pub(super) fn pdu_format_check_1(
 		let create_event_in_auth_events = auth_events.iter().any(|id| id == create_event_id);
 		if !event_format.allow_room_create_in_auth_events && create_event_in_auth_events {
 			return Err!(Request(BadJson("PDU references a create event")));
+		} else if event_format.allow_room_create_in_auth_events && !create_event_in_auth_events {
+			return Err!(Request(BadJson("PDU does not reference the room create event")));
 		}
 
 		let prev_events = expect_event_id_array(pdu_json, "prev_events")?;
@@ -59,7 +61,7 @@ pub(super) fn pdu_format_check_1(
 	/// the content hash verification fails (check 3), returning the
 	/// potentially modified JSON. Returns an error if the PDU cannot be
 	/// redacted, or fails signature verification.
-	pub(super) async fn signature_hash_check_2_3(
+	pub async fn signature_hash_check_2_3(
 		&self,
 		pdu_json: CanonicalJsonObject,
 		room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,
@@ -92,7 +94,7 @@ pub(super) async fn signature_hash_check_2_3(
 	/// If the auth check fails, false is returned, otherwise true.
 	///
 	/// [spec]: https://spec.matrix.org/v1.19/server-server-api/#checks-performed-on-receipt-of-a-pdu
-	pub(super) async fn auth_state_check_4(
+	pub async fn auth_state_check_4(
 		&self,
 		pdu: &PduEvent,
 		room_version_rules: &RoomVersionRules,