CVE-2026-40497
FreeScout Vulnerable to CSS Injection via Stored Style Tag in Mailbox Signature (CSRF Token Exfiltration)
Description
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.
CVSS Vector Breakdown
AV:NAttack VectorAC:LAttack ComplexityPR:HPrivileges RequiredUI:RUser InteractionS:CScopeC:HConfidentialityI:HIntegrityA:NAvailabilityWeaknesses
Affected Products
Attack Graph
Click technique nodes to view MITRE ATT&CK details. Scroll to zoom, drag to pan.
Exploitability
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniquesReferences
Timeline
Unlock Complete Vulnerability Intelligence
Get the full picture for CVE-2026-40497 and every CVE in our database. Create a free account — no credit card required.
Create Free Account