CVEs / CVE-2026-23760
CVE-2026-23760: SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability
- Known exploited in the CISA KEV catalog since 26 Jan 2026
- critical 9.8 CVSS 3.1 (NVD)
- EPSS 96.4% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of CVEs (30 Oct 2026)
- Last changed at its sources
Are you affected? Check your servers with Stackurity: it lists the software on each server and the vulnerabilities to fix first.
Check your servers with Stackurity Already using Stackurity? Search for CVE-2026-23760
Summary
SmarterTools SmarterMail contains an authentication bypass using an alternate path or channel vulnerability in the password reset API. The force-reset-password endpoint permits anonymous requests and fails to verify the existing password or a reset token when resetting system administrator accounts. This could allow an unauthenticated attacker to supply a target administrator username and a new password to reset the account, resulting in full administrative compromise of the SmarterMail instance.
Description
SmarterTools SmarterMail versions prior to build 9511 contain an authentication bypass vulnerability in the password reset API. The force-reset-password endpoint permits anonymous requests and fails to verify the existing password or a reset token when resetting system administrator accounts. An unauthenticated attacker can supply a target administrator username and a new password to reset the account, resulting in full administrative compromise of the SmarterMail instance. NOTE: SmarterMail system administrator privileges grant the ability to execute operating system commands via built-in management functionality, effectively providing administrative (SYSTEM or root) access on the underlying host.
Affected and fixed versions
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| SmarterTools SmarterMail | before 100.0.9511 | 100.0.9511 |
Exploitation
| In CISA KEV since | 26 Jan 2026 |
|---|---|
| Due date for US federal agencies | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Used in ransomware campaigns | Known |
| Required action | Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. |
Severity
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 criticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HScored by NVD |
|---|---|
| Weakness | CWE-288 |
References
- CVE-2026-23760 on NVD
- CVE-2026-23760 in the CISA KEV catalog
- https://www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current (cited by CISA)
- https://code-white.com/public-vulnerability-list/#authenticationserviceforceresetpassword-missing-authentication-in-smartermail Third Party Advisory
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/ Exploit, Third Party Advisory
- https://www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current Release Notes
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/smartertools-smartermail-authentication-bypass-via-password-reset-api Third Party Advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-23760 US Government Resource
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Sources
Exploitation status from the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. EPSS scores from FIRST. Descriptions, severity and references from the National Vulnerability Database. Open-source package versions from OSV (CC-BY 4.0). Text is shown as each source states it; Stackurity does not edit it. Check the vendor's advisory before acting.
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.