CVE-2026-40497

FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, FreeScout's `Helper::stripDangerousTags()` removes `<script>`, `<form>`, `<iframe>`, `<object>` but does NOT strip `<style>` tags. The mailbox signature field is saved via POST /mailbox/settings/{id} and later rendered unescaped via `{!! $conversation->getSignatureProcessed([], true) !!}` in conversation views. CSP allows `style-src * 'self' 'unsafe-inline'`, 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 `Helper::stripDangerousTags()` to the signature before saving. However, `stripDangerousTags()` only removes `script`, `form`, `iframe`, and `object` tags — it does NOT strip `<style>` tags, leaving CSS injection possible. Version 1.8.213 contains an updated fix.
Configurations

Configuration 1 (hide)

cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

History

23 Apr 2026, 16:32

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time Freescout
Freescout freescout
CPE cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
References () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/5aa8d633216f65995e80a7d4a921b784acc94df4 - () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/commit/5aa8d633216f65995e80a7d4a921b784acc94df4 - Patch
References () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/releases/tag/1.8.213 - () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/releases/tag/1.8.213 - Release Notes
References () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-fh99-wr77-pxq3 - () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-fh99-wr77-pxq3 - Vendor Advisory

21 Apr 2026, 14:16

Type Values Removed Values Added
References () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-fh99-wr77-pxq3 - () https://github.com/freescout-help-desk/freescout/security/advisories/GHSA-fh99-wr77-pxq3 -

21 Apr 2026, 03:16

Type Values Removed Values Added
New CVE

Information

Published : 2026-04-21 03:16

Updated : 2026-04-23 16:32


NVD link : CVE-2026-40497

Mitre link : CVE-2026-40497

CVE.ORG link : CVE-2026-40497


JSON object : View

Products Affected

freescout

  • freescout
CWE
CWE-79

Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')