IRONSMITHINTEL
CRITICALCVSS10.0
|
Actively Exploited
|CISA KEV|CVE-2025-52691|Auth: none — unauthenticated|Reboot: required|Manual only

SmarterTools SmarterMail Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type Vulnerability

SmarterTools SmarterMail contains an unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type vulnerability that could allow an unauthenticated attacker to upload arbitrary files to any location on the mail server, potentially enabling remote code execution.

Published Dec 29, 2025 · Updated May 16, 2026
Why patchRisk explained in plain English
Worst-case scenarioIf unpatched

A remote attacker, without authentication, can achieve full data confidentiality loss, arbitrary modification of data, complete denial of service or system unavailability. CISA has confirmed use of this vulnerability in known ransomware campaigns — treat as high priority for remediation. Federal agencies are required to remediate by 2026-02-16 under CISA BOD 22-01.

How the attack worksNo clicks needed

This is a Unrestricted File Upload (CWE-434) vulnerability in SmarterTools SmarterMail. Successful exploitation of the vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to upload arbitrary files to any location on the mail server, potentially enabling remote code execution. Exploitation requires remote network access, low attack complexity, no authentication required, and no user interaction required.

📧

Phishing link

🖼

Malicious file

🔓

Server compromised

Am I affected?Quick check

Probably yes if any of these apply:

IT Security
Running smartermail: v < 100.0.9413
Real-world incidentsWhat we've seen

Used in known ransomware campaigns. Threat-research write-up: https://github.com/watchtowrlabs/watchTowr-vs-SmarterMail-CVE-2025-52691?ref=labs.watchtowr.com

How to patch

Manual remediation steps

Apply the Vendor Patch

This vulnerability is in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog — apply the vendor's security update as soon as possible.

CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

References

    1
    Vendor advisory: https://www.smartertools.com/smartermail/release-notes/current
    1
    NVD entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-52691
    1
    CISA KEV: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-52691
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