CVE-2026-23760

Published Jan 22, 2026

Last updated a day ago

Overview

AI description

Automated description summarized from trusted sources.

CVE-2026-23760 is an authentication bypass vulnerability found in SmarterTools SmarterMail versions prior to build 9511. This flaw exists within the product's password reset API, specifically the `force-reset-password` endpoint, which permits anonymous requests. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability by supplying a target administrator's username and a new password. This action allows them to reset the administrator's account without prior authentication or verification of the existing password or a reset token, leading to a complete administrative compromise of the SmarterMail instance. The administrative access gained through this bypass can further enable the execution of operating system commands via SmarterMail's built-in management functionalities. This vulnerability has been actively exploited in the wild.

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.
Source: disclosure@vulncheck.com
NVD status: Analyzed
Products: smartermail

Risk scores

CVSS 4.0

Type: Secondary
Base score: 9.3
Impact score: -
Exploitability score: -
Vector string: CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Severity: CRITICAL

CVSS 3.1

Type: Primary
Base score: 9.8
Impact score: 5.9
Exploitability score: 3.9
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: CRITICAL

Known exploits

Data from CISA

Vulnerability name: SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability
Exploit added on: Jan 26, 2026
Exploit action due: Feb 16, 2026
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.

Weaknesses

disclosure@vulncheck.com: CWE-288

Hype score is a measure of social media activity compared against trending CVEs from the past 12 months. Max score 100.

Hype score: 1

Configurations

[
  {
    "nodes": [
      {
        "negate": false,
        "cpeMatch": [
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:smartertools:smartermail:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "vulnerable": true,
            "matchCriteriaId": "D508C7EA-385D-428C-ACD3-9E2F93F0FB31",
            "versionEndExcluding": "100.0.9511"
          }
        ],
        "operator": "OR"
      }
    ]
  }
]

References

Sources include official advisories and independent security research.