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Fencer Vulns
critical 9.8

CVE-2026-23760 kev+ ransomware in the critical feed json

SmarterTools SmarterMail < Build 9511 Authentication Bypass via Password Reset API

published 2026-01-22 9 mo ago modified 2026-08-04 3 mo ago also EUVD-2026-4143

cvss
9.8
version 3.1, NVD
cisa kev
Exploited
added 2026-01-26, used in ransomware
epss
96.4%
EPSS 96.4% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 99.8%
public exploits
0
none known, plus a Nuclei check

Summary

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.

Patch / fix

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.

  • SmarterTools SmarterMail 100.0.9511

Timeline

  1. CISA SSVC: exploitation active
  2. Published
  3. Added to CISA KEV
  4. CISA patch deadline

Known exploited

Added
9 mo ago
Patch by
2026-02-16 (8 mo ago)
Ransomware
Known to be used in ransomware campaigns
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.
Vendor, product
SmarterTools, SmarterMail
CISA name
SmarterTools SmarterMail Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel Vulnerability

Ransomware

Groups reported to have exploited it in intrusions.

  • Storm-2603 (Warlock) ransomware gang

reported by reliaquest.com

Ransomware Vulnerability Matrix by BushidoUK (github.com/BushidoUK/Ransomware-Vulnerability-Matrix), reformatted per CVE. CC BY 4.0

CISA SSVC

Exploitation
Active, exploited in the wild
Automatable
yes
Technical impact
total
Assessed
9 mo ago

Exploit prediction

96.43% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 99.8% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-08).

Exploits and checks

  • Nuclei template SmarterTools SmarterMail - Admin Password Reset nuclei detection template
  • labs.watchtowr.com https://labs.watchtowr.com/attackers-with-decompilers-strike-again-smartertools-smartermail-wt-2026-0001-auth-bypass/ referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified
  • huntress.com https://www.huntress.com/blog/smartermail-account-takeover-leading-to-rce referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified

CVSS scores

assigned by version score vector
CNA 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
CNA 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/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
NVD 3.1 9.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

  • SmarterTools SmarterMail

Classification

Weakness
  • CWE-288 Authentication Bypass Using an Alternate Path or Channel

References

Sources

Fencer Vulns keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.