CVE-2026-40497
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox.
Published Apr 21, 2026 · corrected/updated Jun 17, 2026 · freescout freescout · evidence confidence medium
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, FreeScout's removes , , , but does NOT strip tags. The mailbox signature field is saved via POST /mailbox/settings/{id} and later rendered unescaped via in conversation views. CSP allows , so injected inline styles execute freely. An attacker with access to mailbox settings (admin or agent with mailbox permission) can inject CSS attribute selectors to exfiltrate the CSRF token of any agent/admin who views a conversation in that mailbox. With the CSRF token, the attacker can perform any state-changing action as the victim (create admin accounts, change email/password, etc.) — privilege escalation from agent to admin. This is the result of an incomplete fix of GHSA-jqjf-f566-485j. That advisory reported XSS via mailbox signature. The fix applied to the signature before saving. However, only removes , , , and tags — it does NOT strip tags, leaving CSS injection possible. Version 1.8.213 contains an updated fix.
Grounded briefings
Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.
Executive
CVE-2026-40497 is a high public vulnerability record for freescout freescout. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.
System administrator
Identify whether freescout freescout is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: freescout/freescout. Check the linked vendor or CERT advisories for patch status. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.
Security analyst
Signals on file: CVSS 8.1. It is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited catalog. Weakness classes: CWE-79. Sources contributing to this record: cve_org, nvd. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.
Exploitation and remediation
Exploitation evidence
Not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV. Not in the CISA KEV catalog.
Patch and remediation
No required-action text is stored yet. Use the vendor or CERT links in Sources for patch availability.
Safe detection guidance
Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.
Code
The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.
Timeline
Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.
Apr 21, 2026 · NIST NVD
Detected
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, FreeScout's removes , , , but does NOT strip tags. The mailbox signature field is saved via POST /mailbox/settings/{id} and later rendered unescaped via in conversation views. CSP allows , so injected inline styles execute freely. An attacker with access to mailbox settings (admin or agent with mailbox permissi
Jun 17, 2026 · NIST NVD
Updated
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, FreeScout's removes , , , but does NOT strip tags. The mailbox signature field is saved via POST /mailbox/settings/{id} and later rendered unescaped via in conversation views. CSP allows , so injected inline styles execute freely. An attacker with access to mailbox settings (admin or agent with mailbox permissi
Affected
- cpe freescout/freescoutversion unspecified
Sources
- CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-40497
Official CVE identifier
cve.org - NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2026-40497
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, FreeScout's removes , , , but does NOT strip tags. The mailbox signature field is saved via POST /mailbox/settin
nvd.nist.gov