CVE-2026-96404

What it is

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.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.6% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-10-06 20:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-13 15:36 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-10-06 20:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-13 15:36 UTC

Exploit probability

0.6% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-287 · Improper authentication

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Gitea < 28.0.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 8.1

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

High

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High