CVE-2004-2736: Polar HelpDesk 3.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the UserId and UserType values

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MEDIUM 5.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2004-2736 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.0) affecting helpdesk. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Polar HelpDesk 3.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the UserId and UserType values in a cookie.

Why this priority

EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.0 (Medium)
EPSS exploit chance	5.4% (top 7%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-287
Published	2004-12-31
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: polar software

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2004-12-31 05:00 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

polar software helpdesk DOWNGRADE

Affected: 3.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy helpdesk || rpm -q helpdesk || helpdesk --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison helpdesk sudo apt install helpdesk=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo apt-mark hold helpdesk

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list helpdesk sudo dnf downgrade helpdesk-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0> sudo dnf versionlock add helpdesk

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Polar Helpdesk 3.0 - Cookie Based Authentication Bypass

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2004-2736?

helpdesk: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2004-2736 being exploited?

CVE-2004-2736 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2004-2736 affect?

CVE-2004-2736 affects helpdesk. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.0). Polar HelpDesk 3.0 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by setting the UserId and UserType values in a cookie.

How urgent is CVE-2004-2736?

Priority 46/100. EPSS top 7%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

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References

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