CVE-2026-23760 SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
Unauthenticated attackers can reset administrator passwords via the API, gaining full administrative control and executing system commands.
- Exploited in the wild
- Since 26 Jan 2026
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-23760?
CVE-2026-23760 is a critical authentication bypass vulnerability in SmarterTools SmarterMail, published on 22 Jan 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official 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.
Weakness: CWE-288
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-23760?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Smartertools Smartermail.
How do I fix CVE-2026-23760?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-23760 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 16 Feb 2026.
Upgrade, and rotate credentials and sessions that may have been exposed. More about Authentication bypass.
Is CVE-2026-23760 being exploited?
Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2026-23760 in the wild since at least 26 Jan 2026, including in ransomware campaigns.
Public exploit code: 1 Nuclei template and 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in SmarterTools SmarterMail
- CVE-2025-52691 SmarterTools SmarterMail Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
- CVE-2026-24423 SmarterTools SmarterMail Missing Authentication for Critical Function
- CVE-2021-32234 Code injection in n/a
- CVE-2019-7214 Deserialization in n/a
- CVE-2026-7807 SmarterTools SmarterMail < Build 9560 Server Local File Inclusion via the /api/v1/report/summary/{type} API
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mj6x-679w-76wr.