CVE-2026-96404

Gitea installer authentication bypass for existing accounts

Published Oct 6, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 8.1 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

Sign in to view the affected projects.

Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:gitea:gitea:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 8.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Gitea
Gitea gitea
Vendors & Products Gitea
Gitea gitea
Type Values Removed Values Added
Weaknesses CWE-287
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description 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.
Title Gitea installer authentication bypass for existing accounts
References
Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
Gitea
Published
Updated
Oct 7, 2026, 2:26 PM
Reserved
Oct 4, 2026, 9:59 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Oct 6, 2026, 8:17 PM
Modified
Oct 13, 2026, 3:36 PM
Severity
Important
Public date
Oct 6, 2026, 7:25 PM