CVE-2026-23760 KEV
Patch first
On CISA KEV — known exploited in the wild, due 2026-02-16.
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.
Scoring
| CVSS | 9.8 (CRITICAL, v3.1) |
|---|---|
| Vector | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| EPSS | 96.54% — more likely to be exploited than 100% of all CVEs |
| Weakness | CWE-288 |
| On CISA KEV | yes — remediate by 2026-02-16 |
| Public exploit | none known |
| Published | 2026-01-22 |
| Last modified | 2026-08-04 |
CISA KEV
| Name | SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability |
|---|---|
| Added | 2026-01-26 |
| Due | 2026-02-16 |
| Vendor / product | SmarterTools / SmarterMail |
| Ransomware use | known |
Affected (1)
| Vendor | Product |
|---|---|
| smartertools | smartermail |
References
- https://code-white.com/public-vulnerability-list/#authenticationserviceforceresetpassword-missing-authentication-in-smartermail
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/
- https://www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/smartertools-smartermail-authentication-bypass-via-password-reset-api
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-23760
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce
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