Authentication Bypass in Gitea Web Installer
CVE-2026-96404

8.1HIGH

Key Information:

Vendor

Gitea

Status
Gitea
Vendor
CVE Published:
6 October 2026

What is CVE-2026-96404?

A security vulnerability exists in Gitea's web installer, where if a database with existing users is targeted after resetting INSTALL_LOCK to false, submitting the installation form with an administrator's username grants an authenticated session for that user, bypassing password verification. This poses a significant risk as it allows unauthorized administrative access, including options to modify the account's password. Furthermore, installations with a single user do not trigger the necessary reinstall confirmation, increasing the threat of exploitation.

Affected Version(s)

Gitea 0 <= 1.27.3

References

https://github.com/go-gitea/gitea/security/advisories/GHS...
vendor-advisory
https://github.com/go-gitea/gitea/pull/39400
patch
https://blog.gitea.com/release-of-28.0.0/
release-notes

CVSS V3.1

Score:
8.1
Severity:
HIGH
Confidentiality:
High
Integrity:
High
Availability:
High
Attack Vector:
Network
Attack Complexity:
High
Privileges Required:
None
User Interaction:
None
Scope:
Unchanged

Timeline

  • Vulnerability published

  • Vulnerability Reserved

Credit

https://github.com/vuductruong12
https://github.com/lilmingwa13
https://github.com/wxiaoguang
.