CVE-2026-40496
FreeScout has Predictable Attachment Token that Allows Unauthenticated Private File Download via Brute Force
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.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
8.8
FreeScout has Predictable Attachment Token that Allows Unauthenticated Private File Download via Brute Force
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.
- Record
CVE-2026-40496- CVSS 4.0
- 8.8 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P - Weakness
- CWE-330, CWE-340
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2026-24049
8.8
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.
- Record
EUVD-2026-24049- CVSS 4.0
- 8.8 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P - Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
8.8
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.
- Record
CVE-2026-40496- CVSS 4.0
- 8.8 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X - CVSS 3.1
- 9.1 Critical
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-330, CWE-340
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
8.8
FreeScout has Predictable Attachment Token that Allows Unauthenticated Private File Download via Brute Force
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.
- Record
CVE-2026-40496- CVSS 4.0
- 8.8 High
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P - Weakness
- CWE-330, CWE-340
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2026-40496 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) in Freescout, published April 21, 2026. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.40%, the 34th percentile. No source names a fixed version.
References
github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-2783-wxmm-wmwr
github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/dbdf8f2260b43a21818255c70f0b61b9de9cd555
github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/releases/tag/1.8.213
github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2026/40xxx/CVE-2026-40496.json
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40496