CVE-2026-40498 (GCVE-0-2026-40498)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-04-21 15:01 – Updated: 2026-04-21 19:20
VLAI
EPSS
VEX
Title
FreeScout has Authentication Bypass and Information Disclosure in SystemController via /system/cron
Summary
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.
Severity
SSVC
Exploitation: poc
Automatable: yes
Technical Impact: total
CISA Coordinator · CISA-ADP (v2.0.3)
Decision recorded 2026-04-21 19:19 UTC
CWE
Assigner
GitHub_M
CNA
References
3 references
| URL | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/… | x_refsource_CONFIRM |
| https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/… | x_refsource_MISC |
| https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/… | x_refsource_MISC |
Impacted products
1 product
| Vendor | Product | Version | |
|---|---|---|---|
| freescout-help-desk | freescout |
Affected:
< 1.8.213
|
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Browse all ATT&CK techniques and the vulnerabilities related to each.
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