CVE-2026-60004: Gitea Code Injection Vulnerability
Affects Gitea GiteaSource CISA KEV
Exploited in the wild · KEV due 28 Aug 2026 · public detection template (Nuclei) · 23% EPSS : apply the vendor's fix or mitigations to Gitea now.
Data as of 10/24/2026, 22:16:04 UTC
- Exploitation
Actively exploited – in CISA KEV since 08/25/2026
- KEV deadline
- 08/28/2026 US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else.
- EPSS
- 23.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 97% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Public exploits
- a Nuclei detection templatePublic attack or detection tooling exists; see Public exploits below.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HWhat to do
CISA required action
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
- github.com/go-gitea/gitea/security/advisories/GHSA-rcr6-4jqh-j84m (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-60004 (opens in a new tab)
Public exploits and detection
Nuclei detection templates
Public tooling indexed from Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB and ProjectDiscovery nuclei-templates. Its existence raises the odds of exploitation; it does not confirm attacks.
Description
Gitea has a critical code injection vulnerability (CVE-2026-60004) that allows an attacker with repository write access to send a malicious patch to the diffpatch API endpoint. This enables planting an executable Git hook that runs shell commands with the privileges of the Gitea service account. The vulnerability has a high CVSS score of 9.8 and is known to be exploited in the wild.
Impact
An attacker with repository write access can execute arbitrary shell commands on the server running Gitea with the privileges of the Gitea service account. This can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or disruption of service. The vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild, increasing the risk to affected installations.
Mitigation
Restrict repository write access to trusted users only and monitor for suspicious activity related to Git hooks or the diffpatch API endpoint.
Weaknesses
- CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') (opens in a new tab)
Base weaknessLikelihood of exploit: MediumCWE Top 25 (2025): #10OWASP Top 10 A05:2025: Injection (opens in a new tab)
The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.
References
- github.com/go-gitea/gitea/security/advisories/GHSA-rcr6-4jqh-j84m (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-26-04-implementation-guidance-prioritizing-security-updates-based-risk (opens in a new tab)
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-60004 (opens in a new tab)
- cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?search=CVE-2026-60004 (opens in a new tab)