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TI-2026-68559 Aliases CVE-2026-96404

Authentication bypass in Gitea installer for existing accounts

Priority LOW 38CWE-287Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
None
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
Security bypass
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
No fix listed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CISA ADP. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-287.

Summary

Gitea versions through 1.27.3 are affected. When the web installer is reachable on a database that already contains users, submitting it with the username of an existing account starts an authenticated session for that account without checking its password (CWE-287). A remote, unauthenticated attacker who gets an administrator account this way gains full administrative access, including the ability to change that account's password. A public exploit is linked in the references.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29

Description from the CNA

When Gitea's web installer is reachable against a database that already contains users, such as after `INSTALL_LOCK` has been reset to `false`, submitting the install form with an administrator username matching an existing account issued an authenticated session for that account without verifying its password. If the account is an administrator, the session grants full administrative access, including changing the account's password. Databases with a single user also did not require the reinstall confirmation.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00582 48th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Public exploit Yes 1 exploit referenceTagged by NVD
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
GiteaGiteaup to 1.27.3—No fix listedCNA
  • Gitea VendorGitea Affected up to 1.27.3 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:gitea:gitea:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*before 28.0.0VulnerableGitea
  • cpe:2.3:a:gitea:gitea:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 28.0.0 Vulnerable ·Gitea

Remediation

The sources list no fixed version for Gitea.

Written with Claude Haiku 5.5 from the sources below · 2026-10-29

Vendor assessments

Red Hat

Red Hat's page for this CVE →

Not affected: 1 product
  • Red Hat

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-06 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-96404
  2. 2026-10-07 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
  3. 2026-10-07 CVSS score added · Red Hat
  4. 2026-10-07 CVSS score added · CISA ADP
  5. 2026-10-07 Weakness changed · CISA ADP
  6. 2026-10-07 CISA SSVC decision points changed

References

Exploit 1

Patch 1

Other 2

  • TI-2026-42785 Gitea before 1.27.1 allows remote code execution via the diffpatch API through Git hook installation. KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2020-11072 The git hook feature in Gitea 1.1.0 through 1.12.5 might allow for authenticated remote… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
  • TI-2022-12910 Gitea before 1.16.7 does not escape git fetch remote. CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
  • TI-2019-08404 models/repo_mirror.go in Gitea before 1.7.6 and 1.8.x before 1.8-RC3 mishandles mirror… CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2022-00955 Open Redirect on login in go-gitea/gitea CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.1
  • TI-2026-68968 Push-to-create bypass of FORCE_PRIVATE policy in Gitea CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.4
See all 80 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences