CVE-2026-23760: SmarterTools SmarterMail · Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel
Affects SmarterTools SmarterMailSource CVE Database V5
Exploited in the wild · used in ransomware campaigns · KEV due 16 Feb 2026 · public detection template (Nuclei) · 96% EPSS : upgrade to 100.0.9511 now.
Data as of 26 Oct 2026, 06:26 UTC
- KEV deadline
- US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else.
- Ransomware
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- EPSS
- 96.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 99% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 100.0.9511
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:NExploitation evidence
t = 0 is the CVE’s publication on cve.org
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Jan 2026
Detectable: evidence found.
nuclei template: SmarterTools SmarterMail - Admin Password Reset
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: evidence found.
Listed in CISA KEV 4 days after disclosure
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
Timeline
CVE ID reserved
by VulnCheck
, 7 days before disclosure
CVE published
on cve.org
, t = 0
In Threat Radar
record ingested
, 31 minutes after disclosure
Added to CISA KEV (opens in a new tab)
exploitation confirmed · ransomware use known
, 4 days after disclosure
KEV remediation due
US federal deadline
, 25 days after disclosure
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), CISA KEV (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 2026-10-26.
What to do
Upgrade SmarterTools SmarterMail to 100.0.9511.
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| SmarterToolsSmarterMail | Affected
| Fixed in
|
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.
References
- smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current (opens in a new tab)
- labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/ (opens in a new tab)
- code-white.com/public-vulnerability-list/ (opens in a new tab)
- vulncheck.com/advisories/smartertools-smartermail-authentication-bypass-via-password-reset-api (opens in a new tab)
- huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-23760 (opens in a new tab)