SmarterTools SmarterMail < Build 9511 Authentication Bypass via Password Reset API
SmarterMail builds before Build 9511 are affected when the force-reset-password web API endpoint is reachable over the network. CVSS rates it critical at 9.3, and the fix is Build 9511 or later.
- Published
- Last modified
- Where the record stands: published, rejected by its publisher, or superseded by another id.What do these mean? →
- published
- Whether CISA lists it in its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog: proof that attackers are using it.What do these mean? →
- Listed in CISA KEV
- How many real-world setups can hit the bug, from the vendor's advisory and CISA data. It does not know your setup.What do these mean? →
- Actively exploited
- Fix
- Fixed in 100.0.9511
- Whether working attack code is public (Exploit-DB, Metasploit, Nuclei or GitHub). Public code makes attacks easier.What do these mean? →
- None on Exploit-DB, Metasploit or GitHub
Summary
SmarterTools SmarterMail, an email server platform, is affected, specifically releases earlier than build 9511. An unauthenticated attacker could reset a system administrator's password without credentials, gaining full administrative control of the mail server and potentially operating system-level access on the host it runs on.
Summarized by anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5. Verify details against the original sources.
Read the original 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.
Timeline
- CVE published
- Added to CISA KEV
CISA has evidence of exploitation in the wild
- CISA remediation deadline
Due date for US federal agencies to patch
- Record last updated
- EPSS reached 10%
FIRST estimates at least a 10% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Affected versions
- SmarterTools SmarterMail
fixed in 100.0.9511
References 4
smartertools.com
labs.watchtowr.com
code-white.com
Questions about CVE-2026-23760
What does this mean?
The ForceResetPassword function in AuthenticationService lacks authentication, so an unauthenticated attacker could reset the SmarterMail system administrator password. That would give administrative access and the ability to run operating system commands on the host.Source: code-white.com, labs.watchtowr.com
Am I affected, and how do I check?
Affected builds are those before Build 9511, and the issue requires the POST /api/v1/auth/force-reset-password endpoint to be reachable over the network. To check, compare your SmarterMail build number with 9511 and confirm whether that endpoint can be reached from the network.Source: code-white.com, labs.watchtowr.com
What should I do about it?
Upgrade SmarterMail to Build 9511 or later.Source: code-white.com, labs.watchtowr.com
Is it being exploited?
Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-01-26, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.Source: cisa.gov, cve.now feed data