🛡️ CVE-2026-40496 — freescout
Description
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, attachment download tokens are generated using a weak and predictable formula: md5(APP_KEY + attachment_id + size). Since attachment_id is sequential and size can be brute-forced in a small range, an unauthenticated attacker can forge valid tokens and download any private attachment without credentials. Version 1.8.213 fixes the issue.
How this vulnerability can be exploited
This issue can be reached over the network, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs no privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality high, integrity high, availability none.
Weakness class
CVE-2026-40496 is classified as CWE-330: Use of Insufficiently Random Values. Values that must be unpredictable are generated in a way an attacker can guess or reproduce.
Affected software
CVE-2026-40496 is recorded against 1 package.
- freescout (fixed in 1.8.213)
Timeline and source
Published on 21 April 2026 and last revised on 17 June 2026. A public exploit is known to exist, which raises the urgency of patching considerably. A vendor advisory or fix has been published. Record sourced from NVD.
References
Details
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
Affected Packages
| Software | From version | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| freescout | — | 1.8.213 |
Similar Threats
- High CVE-2025-48476
- High CVE-2025-48477
- Medium CVE-2025-48478
- Low CVE-2025-48479
- Low CVE-2025-48480
Exploit Protection
Are you running freescout?
CVE-2026-40496 carries CVSS 9.1 Critical rating and a public exploit already exists. BotEraser checks your installation against this and other known CVE records, and blocks IPs associated with exploit activity.
Check My Site For CVE-2026-40496 →No credit card required · Results in minutes
ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.