CVE-2026-73278: Gitea's OAuth2 and OpenID Connect sign-in paths do not require a WebAuthn challenge when WebAuthn is the accou

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-73278 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting gitea. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Gitea's OAuth2 and OpenID Connect sign-in paths do not require a WebAuthn challenge when WebAuthn is the account's only configured second factor. A party able to authenticate through the affected external identity flow can obtain a full session without the passkey verification enforced during password login. One affected path can also persist an external identity link, extending the compromise beyond the initial session; accounts with TOTP config

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 60%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2026-10-06
Last modified	2026-10-13

Publisher (CNA): Gitea Limited · Vendor: gitea

Last updated 2026-10-13 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-10-06 20:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-13 16:53 UTCUpdated Record last modified

gitea gitea UPGRADE

Affected: >= 1.16.0 and < 1.27.2

Fixed in: 1.27.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.16.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy gitea || rpm -q gitea || gitea --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.27.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade gitea

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade gitea

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.16.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison gitea sudo apt install gitea=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.16.0> sudo apt-mark hold gitea

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list gitea sudo dnf downgrade gitea-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.16.0> sudo dnf versionlock add gitea

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2026-73278?

gitea: upgrade to 1.27.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-73278 being exploited?

CVE-2026-73278 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2026-73278 affect?

CVE-2026-73278 affects gitea. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). Gitea's OAuth2 and OpenID Connect sign-in paths do not require a WebAuthn challenge when WebAuthn is the account's only configured second factor. A party able to authenticate through the affected external identity flow can obtain a full ses

How urgent is CVE-2026-73278?

Priority 49/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

Gitea vulnerabilities

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References

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