CVE-2026-24059
CVE-2026-24059 — Gitea runner registration-token GET endpoint performs a write under a read-only token scope
The GET /api/v1/user/actions/runners/registration-token endpoint (and its owner- and repository-level equivalents) creates a new runner registration token if none exists, yet the API scope middleware classifies it as read-only because it is a GET request. A holder of a leaked read:user-scoped token can therefore mint a registration token and register a malicious Actions runner that executes workflow jobs with access to repository secrets and source code.
Published Updated Sources: NVD, Gitea (CNA), GitHub, SOCRadar CTI
Triage
Is it exploited, how likely is exploitation, what does it touch, and how severe do the scoring sources call it.
Exploitation
Exploit code
public exploit, none observed
EPSS
0%
ahead of 0% of scored CVEs
CVSS base
Unscored
no source published a base score
Remediation
The vendor's own words where we have them.
Upgrade Gitea Open Source Git Server to a fixed release. Apply vendor patches per advisory and restrict external exposure of the affected component until patched.
First 24 hours
Ordered from the record's own fields — exposure first, because you cannot patch what you have not found.
- Identify exposed assets running affected vendor/product/version combinations.
- Prioritize based on EPSS, PoC availability, and external exposure.
- Search available logs for exploit probes, errors, authentication anomalies, or suspicious child processes matching the vulnerability class.
Affected scope
Vendor, product and version as the advisories word them.
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gitea | Gitea Open Source Git Server | 0 to < 1.25.5 | Vulnerable |
What this weakness leads to
MITRE's own consequences and mitigations for the weakness class — the authority's wording, not guidance derived from the CVSS vector.
CWE-269 · Improper Privilege Management
- Gain Privileges or Assume Identity::
Mitigation: Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
Weakness & attack patterns
- CWE-269Improper Privilege Management
Attack patterns reported against this CVE. The ATT&CK techniques below are inferred from its weakness class.
- T1548Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism
Public exploit
Capability, not use: code existing is a different claim from anyone running it.
Repositories
6
Detection
Read off the CVSS vector and the weakness class. Starting points, not rules we have tested.
- Search application, proxy, and WAF logs for requests touching /api/v1/user/actions/runners/registration-token.
- Review endpoint telemetry for service binary replacement, suspicious service launches, or privilege changes tied to the affected agent.
- Monitor for scanner or exploit-pattern traffic after 6 public PoC repositories were reported.
Timeline
What happened to this CVE, newest first — with the readings a source repeats on a schedule counted underneath rather than listed.
- 2026
Initial · CVE published
Aug 13, 2026 · NVD
Source activity
Readings a source repeats on a schedule, counted rather than listed.
- 1×CVE modified by NIST, Modified, LinkAug 13, 2026 · SOCRadar CTI
References
4 on the record
- blog.gitea.com/release-of-1.25.5/
Vendor Advisory, Mitre, NIST
- github.com/go-gitea/gitea/pull/36801
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, Mitre, NIST
- github.com/go-gitea/gitea/releases/tag/v1.25.5
Exploit, Third Party Advisory, Mitre, NIST
- github.com/go-gitea/gitea/security/advisories/GHSA-v43r-86x9-8523
Exploit, Third Party Advisory
Elsewhere on this site
- Giteaevery CVE for this vendor
- Privilege Escsame class
- CWE-269other pages naming this weakness
Not in any source we poll
Listed rather than left blank: an empty field and an unmeasured one look identical on screen, and only one is a reason to look elsewhere.
- No confirmed IOCs, IP addresses, domains, file hashes, or malware artifacts supplied.
- No organization-specific asset inventory, compensating-control status, or patch deployment evidence supplied.
- No exploit packet captures, log samples, or incident case IDs supplied.
Answered from this record1
What should defenders know first?
CVE-2026-24059 is Gitea runner registration-token GET endpoint performs a write under a read-only token scope, a unscored vulnerability affecting Gitea Open Source Git Server from Gitea. The current evidence does not list it in CISA KEV, and the exploit status is: Active exploitation is not confirmed from current sources for CVE-2026-24059. Public exploit evidence is: 6 public PoC repositories reported; 0 marked weaponized in current dataset. The affected-version evidence is listed in the key facts and affected products tables. Defenders should first verify whether exposed or business-critical assets run those versions, then apply vendor patches or mitigations, restrict reachable attack surface, and preserve logs for detection review. CVSS null describes technical severity, while EPSS 0% helps estimate near-term exploit likelihood; neither replaces asset context. Unknown fields should remain explicit in tickets, and threat actor, IOC, victimology, or payload claims should not be added unless a cited source supports them. Monitor CISA KEV, vendor advisories, NVD changes, public PoC repositories, and internal telemetry for update triggers.