CVE-2026-40498: FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-40498?

freescout: upgrade to 1.8.213. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-40498 being exploited?

CVE-2026-40498 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-40498 affect?

CVE-2026-40498 affects freescout. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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 st

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-40498?

Priority 59/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2026-40498 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting freescout. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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 Exh

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 53%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200, CWE-284, CWE-770
Published	2026-04-21
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: freescout

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-04-21 16:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 10:45 UTCUpdated Record last modified

freescout freescout UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.8.213

Fixed in: 1.8.213

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.8.213 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade freescout

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade freescout

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Exact fixes by distribution

Fedora 46 · icecat · FIXED · 153.6.0-2.rh1.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-25e05b5320 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-25e05b5320

Fedora ELN · edk2 · FIXED · 20260812-14.eln159 · FEDORA-2026-8850ef9153 · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-8850ef9153

Public exploits and detection

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

Write-up: github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-5jw5-q9j7-4rxc

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-2026-40498?

freescout: upgrade to 1.8.213. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-40498 being exploited?

CVE-2026-40498 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-2026-40498 affect?

CVE-2026-40498 affects freescout. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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 st

How urgent is CVE-2026-40498?

Priority 59/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; CISA SSVC: automatable with total technical impact; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-40565 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox
CVE-2026-40497 HIGH 8.1 UPGRADE FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox
CVE-2026-40496 CRITICAL 9.1 UPGRADE FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox

References

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