---
title: "CVE-2026-23760: SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-23760/
description: "CVE-2026-23760 (SmarterTools SmarterMail): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). SmarterTools SmarterMail versions prior to build 9511 contain an authentication…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2026-01-22
date_modified: 2026-08-04
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2026-23760"
kev: true
cvss: 9.3
epss: 0.96432
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

# CVE-2026-23760: SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- Yes, if you run SmarterTools SmarterMail. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-02-16 ; treat that as the outer limit, not the target. CISA also lists it as known to be used in ransomware campaigns .
- EPSS 96.4% , percentile 99.9: FIRST’s model estimates a 96.4% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.

## 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.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- SmarterTools SmarterMail: < 100.0.9511

## Severity

- VulnCheck CVSS 4.0: 9.3 `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`

## Exploitation

- CISA KEV: added 2026-01-26; federal due date 2026-02-16. Known ransomware use: Known.
- CISA 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.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active , automatable yes , technical impact total .
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 96.43% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.9.

## Sources

- [smartertools.com](https://www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2026-23760](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-23760)
- [NVD entry CVE-2026-23760](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-23760)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-23760)
- [labs.watchtowr.com](https://labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/)
- [code-white.com](https://code-white.com/public-vulnerability-list/#authenticationserviceforceresetpassword-missing-authentication-in-smartermail)
- [vulncheck.com](https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/smartertools-smartermail-authentication-bypass-via-password-reset-api)
- [huntress.com](https://www.huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2026-23760/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt