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TI-2026-29307 Aliases CVE-2026-40566

FreeScout vulnerable to SSRF via IMAP/SMTP Connection Test Endpoints

Priority MEDIUM 52CWE-918Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Network
Privileges required
High
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
Information disclosure
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
Low · None · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-918 and the CVSS impact.

Summary

FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Versions prior to 1.8.213 have a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability in the IMAP/SMTP connection test functionality of FreeScout's `MailboxesController`. Three AJAX actions `fetch_test` (line 731), `send_test` (line 682), and `imap_folders` (line 773) in `app/Http/Controllers/MailboxesController.php` pass admin-configured `in_server`/`in_port` and `out_server`/`out_port` values directly to `fsockopen()` via `Helper::checkPort()` and to IMAP/SMTP client connections with zero SSRF protection. There is no IP validation, no hostname restriction, no blocklist of internal ranges, and no call to the project's own `sanitizeRemoteUrl()` or `checkUrlIpAndHost()` functions. The validation block in `connectionIncomingSave()` is entirely commented out. An authenticated admin can configure a mailbox's IMAP or SMTP server to point at any internal host and port, then trigger a connection test. The server opens raw TCP connections (via `fsockopen()`) and protocol-level connections (via IMAP client or SMTP transport) to the attacker-specified target. The response differentiates open from closed ports, enabling internal network port scanning. When the IMAP client connects to a non-IMAP service, the target's service banner or error response is captured in the IMAP debug log and returned in the AJAX response's `log` field, making this a semi-blind SSRF that enables service fingerprinting. In cloud environments, the metadata endpoint at `169[.]254[.]169[.]254` can be probed and partial response data may be leaked through protocol error messages. This is distinct from the `sanitizeRemoteUrl()` redirect bypass (freescout-3) -- different code path, different root cause, different protocol layer. Version 1.8.213 patches the vulnerability.

Why it matters now

Exploitation Proof of concept CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00291 21st percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed freescout (freescout-help-desk): 1.8.213

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
Poc
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Partial

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
freescout-help-deskfreescoutbefore 1.8.2131.8.213Patch availableCNA
  • freescout Vendorfreescout-help-desk Affected before 1.8.213 Fixed in 1.8.213 Patch available CNA

CPE names Threatist (inferred) · 1

Inferred from how NVD named this product before; not given by a source.

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*——freescout-help-desk

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA freescout (freescout-help-desk) Fixed in 1.8.213

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-40566

References

  • TI-2026-38652 FreeScout vulnerable to anonymous account takeover via /user-setup empty invite_hash on MySQL CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.4
  • TI-2026-22019 FreeScout's Predictable Authentication Token Enables Account Takeover CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
  • TI-2026-30304 FreeScout's user invitation hash never expires: permanent unauthenticated account takeover if invite link leaks CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.1
  • TI-2026-29249 FreeScout has Authentication Bypass and Information Disclosure in SystemController via /system/cron CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.9
  • TI-2026-29247 FreeScout has Predictable Attachment Token that Allows Unauthenticated Private File Download via Brute Force CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2026-38648 FreeScout Vulnerable to Unauthenticated Conversation Thread Injection via HMAC Length Bypass in FetchEmails CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
See all 90 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences