CVE-2026-40498FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox.
Updated under an hour ago ()
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No exploitation reported and no EPSS estimate yet.
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FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, an unauthenticated attacker can access diagnostic and system tools that should be restricted to administrators. The /system/cron endpoint relies on a static MD5 hash derived from the APP_KEY, which is exposed in the response and logs. Accessing these endpoints reveals sensitive server information (Full Path Disclosure), process IDs, and allows for Resource Exhaustion (DoS) by triggering heavy background tasks repeatedly without any rate limiting. The cron hash is generated using md5(APP_KEY . 'web_cron_hash'). Since this hash is often transmitted via GET requests, it is susceptible to exposure in server logs, browser history, and proxy logs. Furthermore, the lack of rate limiting on these endpoints allows for automated resource exhaustion (DoS) and brute-force attempts. Version 1.8.213 fixes the issue.
- CVSS
- 9.8 CRITICAL (v3.1, NVD)CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-200, CWE-284, CWE-770
- Known exploited
- Not in CISA's KEV catalog
- EPSS (exploitation in the next 30 days)
- Not loaded for this CVE
- Assigned by
- Not given
- NVD analysis
- Analyzed
- Record last updated
- Jun 17, 2026
- First seen by InfoSec Signals
- Oct 9, 2026
Affected products
freescout freescout freescout:freescout | before 1.8.213 | NVD |
References
- https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/b1d6c2c601a6ec3626ab13e679607b5084dfbd38patch
- https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/releases/tag/1.8.213release-notes
- https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-5jw5-q9j7-4rxcexploit, vendor-advisory
The CVE record on cve.org NVD's entry
The CVE record is authoritative. Products marked “from the name” were identified from the CNA's free-text names, not a CPE, and are matched less certainly. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.