freescout: Improper Authentication
CVE-2026-53591 is a high-severity improper authentication vulnerability in freescout from Freescout-help-desk, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected freescout versions: < 1.8.223. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of freescout you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freescout-help-desk | freescout | < 1.8.223 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- LowSome restricted data can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- LowPerformance or availability is reduced.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Prior to version 1.8.223, an unauthenticated attacker can inject messages into any existing support conversation by sending a single email to the helpdesk's public address with a crafted `In-Reply-To` header. No credentials, tokens, or prior access are required. The injected message is rendered in the agent UI as a legitimate customer reply, the conversation is automatically reopened, and the `last_reply_from` field is set to the attacker's identity. Version 1.8.223 contains a fix.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Authentication
When an actor claims to have a given identity, the product does not prove or insufficiently proves that the claim is correct.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an authentication framework or library such as the OWASP ESAPI Authentication feature.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in freescout
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.6 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 9.4 Critical severity
Recent Improper Authentication vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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