Actively exploited · Published Jan 22, 2026 · Assigned by VulnCheck
CVE-2026-23760SmarterTools SmarterMail < Build 9511 Authentication Bypass via Password Reset API
Critical 9.3 Exploited Ransomware
In plain English
A critical-severity authentication bypass in SmarterMail from SmarterTools. Attackers are actively exploiting it in the wild (listed by CISA on January 26, 2026). It has been used in ransomware campaigns. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 96.4% (higher than 99.9% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: Nuclei, public proof-of-concept code. 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 guidance
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Federal agencies must remediate by Feb 16, 2026.
Official 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.
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| SmarterTools | SmarterMail | 0 – before 100.0.9511 |
Weakness: CWE-288 · Vector: 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
References
- https://www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current release-notes, patch
- https://labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/ technical-description, exploit
- https://code-white.com/public-vulnerability-list/#authenticationserviceforceresetpassword-missing-authentication-in-smartermail third-party-advisory
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/smartertools-smartermail-authentication-bypass-via-password-reset-api third-party-advisory
- https://www.huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce third-party-advisory
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-23760 government-resource