# CVE-2026-40496

> Vulnerability · severity: **CRITICAL** (CVSS 9.1).

## Description

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.

## Key facts

- **CVE ID:** CVE-2026-40496
- **Published:** 2026-04-21
- **CVSS severity:** CRITICAL
- **CVSS base score:** 9.1
- **CWE codes:** CWE-330, CWE-340

## Affected products

- `freescout:freescout`

## Primary sources

- NIST NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-40496

## Citation

> AI Analytics. CVE-2026-40496. Retrieved 2026-07-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/cve/CVE-2026-40496. Derived from NIST NVD. Licensed CC0.

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