CVE-2026-80196 kimai CVE debrief

Who should care

Administrators and users of Kimai installations should verify their current version and take necessary actions to mitigate the vulnerability. This includes verifying the current Kimai version, restricting access to password reset links, and implementing additional authentication checks. Security teams and vulnerability management teams should also review the official advisory and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Operators of Kimai installations should prioritize upgrading to version 2.58.0 or later to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. Platform owners and security teams should coordinate on verifying exposure and implementing compensating controls if immediate patching is not feasible. Vulnerability management teams should track exceptions and retest remediated assets to ensure the vulnerability is properly addressed. Security teams should review relevant monitoring, detection, and logs for exposed assets that need extra review. Asset inventory managers should confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up. Change management processes should be used for vendor-supported updates or mitigations where exposure is confirmed. Compensating controls should be reviewed for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified. Source tracking should be used to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and verify the effectiveness of implemented controls. Rollback/change windows should be considered for retesting remediated assets. The goal is to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability and minimize potential impact. This may involve coordinating with multiple teams, including security, IT, and development, to ensure a comprehensive approach to mitigation and remediation. By prioritizing this vulnerability and taking proactive steps to address it, organizations can reduce the risk of exploitation and protect their systems and data. It is also important to note that evidence is limited to CVE and NVD details, and defenders should be cautious when verifying exposure and implementing mitigations. The CVE record was published on 2026-08-26

Technical summary

CVE-2026-80196 is an authentication bypass vulnerability in Kimai versions before 2.58.0. The vulnerability arises because password reset links remain valid after a user's password has been changed, allowing attackers who intercept or cache these links to log in as the user up to two additional times within a one-hour window. This issue is rated HIGH with a CVSS score of 8.7. Administrators and users of Kimai installations should verify their current version and take necessary actions to mitigate the vulnerability.

Defensive priority

CVE-2026-80196 is rated HIGH with a CVSS score of 8.7; verify Kimai installations and restrict access to password reset links.

Recommended defensive actions

• Verify current Kimai version and upgrade to 2.58.0 or later if vulnerable.
• Restrict access to password reset links and implement additional authentication checks.
• Monitor Kimai installations for potential exploitation attempts.
• Confirm whether affected product deployments exist in managed environments and assign an owner for follow-up.
• Review the supplied official advisory or CVE record to validate affected scope, severity, and vendor guidance.
• Plan vendor-supported updates or mitigations through normal change control where exposure is confirmed.
• Review compensating controls for exposed systems while remediation is scheduled and verified.

Evidence notes

The CVE-2026-80196 details indicate Kimai versions before 2.58.0 have an authentication bypass vulnerability due to password reset links remaining valid after password changes. To verify current Kimai version and assess exposure, defenders should check their current version, review the official advisory, and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability arises because password reset links remain valid after a user's password has been changed, allowing attackers who intercept or cache these links to log in as the user up to two additional times within a one-hour window. Evidence is limited to CVE and NVD details.

Sources and references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.