CVE-2026-40496

FreeScout has Predictable Attachment Token that Allows Unauthenticated Private File Download via Brute Force

Published Apr 21, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
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.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Freescout
Freescout freescout
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Freescout
Freescout freescout
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.1, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Freescout Helpdesk
Freescout Helpdesk freescout
Vendors & Products Freescout Helpdesk
Freescout Helpdesk freescout
Type Values Removed Values Added
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.
Title FreeScout has Predictable Attachment Token that Allows Unauthenticated Private File Download via Brute Force
Weaknesses CWE-330
CWE-340
References
Metrics cvssV4_0

{'score': 8.8, 'vector': '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'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Apr 21, 2026, 1:50 PM
Reserved
Apr 13, 2026, 7:50 PM
Status
Analyzed
Published
Apr 21, 2026, 2:16 AM
Modified
Nov 11, 2026, 11:10 PM