# CVE-2026-40496: FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, attachment download tokens are…

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-40496-freescout-is-a-free-self-hosted-help-desk-and-shared-mailbox  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-04-21  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-40496 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.1 · Published 2026-04-21

FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.213, attachment download tokens are generated using a weak and predictable formula: `md5(APP_KEY + attachment_id + size)`. Since attachment_id is sequential and size can be brute-forced in a small range, an unauthenticated attacker can forge valid tokens and download any private attachment without credentials. Version 1.8.213 fixes the issue.

Technologies: [FreeScout](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/freescout-freescout). Vendors: [FreeScout](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/freescout).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-40496 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-40496 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-40496?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.1, published 21 April 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** FreeScout. The advisory does not name versions.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-40496?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-40496?** Check whether you run FreeScout. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- FreeScout

## Related threats

- [FreeScout stored XSS in job details page](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85742-freescout-is-a-self-hosted-help-desk-and-shared-mailbox-prior-to)
- [FreeScout authorization bypass in conversation merge](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85744-freescout-is-a-self-hosted-help-desk-and-shared-mailbox-prior-to)
- [FreeScout SSRF in remote download and port check](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-85743-freescout-is-a-self-hosted-help-desk-and-shared-mailbox-prior-to)
- [FreeScout SQL injection in polycast receive endpoint](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62856-freescout-is-a-self-hosted-help-desk-and-shared-mailbox)
- [FreeScout path traversal in App Logs viewer](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-62855-freescout-is-a-self-hosted-help-desk-and-shared-mailbox-prior-to)