Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2026-23760
The short answer
CVE-2026-23760 affects SmarterTools SmarterMail and is rated critical (CVSS 9.3). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26: attackers are using it, so patch it first.
What it is
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.
Severity
9.3 critical
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
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Jan 26, 2026
Federal due date Feb 16, 2026
EPSS, next 30 days
96%
Higher than 100% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
What CISA says to do
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Affected products
SmarterMail. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- code-white.com/public-vulnerability-list/#authenticationserviceforceresetpassword-missing-authentication-in-smartermail Third Party Advisory
- labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/ ExploitThird Party Advisory
- www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current Release Notes
- www.vulncheck.com/advisories/smartertools-smartermail-authentication-bypass-via-password-reset-api Third Party Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-23760 US Government Resource
- www.huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce ExploitThird Party Advisory
Questions
Is CVE-2026-23760 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2026-23760 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26, with a federal remediation due date of 2026-02-16. CISA lists it as used in ransomware campaigns.
How do I fix CVE-2026-23760?
CISA's 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.
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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