CVE-2026-73804 Gitea API token scope escalation through HTTP signatures
Attackers with write:user scope tokens can register SSH keys to bypass API scope checks, escalating privileges to full account access.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-73804?
CVE-2026-73804 is a high-severity vulnerability in Gitea, published on 14 Oct 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Gitea allows a token with write:user scope to register an attacker-controlled SSH public key on the token owner's account. API requests signed with the corresponding private key authenticate as that account through HTTP Signature without API token scope information, causing route-level token scope checks to be skipped. This converts a user-scoped token into an unscoped API authentication method while retaining the account's normal role and repository permissions.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-73804?
How do I fix CVE-2026-73804?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-73804 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-73804 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-73804 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-q55v-4cmj-xh65.