CVE-2026-53595 freescout vulnerability
FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Prior to version 1.8.224, the public endpoint `POST /user-setup/{hash}/{invite_sent_at}` (`OpenController@userSetupSave`) selects the target account solely by its `invite_hash` column, then overwrites that account's email and password and logs in as it. No authentication, cookie, or prior session is required. After a user activates, FreeScout sets `invite_hash` to the empty string. On MySQL and MariaDB, `VARCHAR` equality ignores trailing spaces, so a single URL-encoded space (`%20`) matches the stored empty string and selects the lowest-id activated user. The expiry guard decrypts `invite_sent_at` with the target's password hash, but `Helper::decrypt` returns its raw input unchanged when decryption fails. A plaintext numeric value such as `9999999999` therefore passes the time-to-live check without any secret. The result is that an anonymous attacker sets the email and password of the lowest-id activated FreeScout account (a support agent, or an administrator if one was added by invitation) and authenticates as that account. Version 1.8.224 contains a fix.
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freescout-help-desk freescout should be reviewed and updated if it matches the affected versions. The recommended fix is to apply the vendor-supported patched version or the mitigation steps below, then retest the public website with Fixnx.
Who is affected
Affected versions
- < 1.8.224
Fixed versions
- Apply the latest vendor-supported patched version.
How to fix it
CVE-2026-53595 affects freescout and involves sensitive-information exposure. Successful exploitation may expose credentials, keys, configuration, or other sensitive information. Treat this as a high-priority fix, especially when the affected component or endpoint is reachable by untrusted users. Upgrade freescout to 1.8.224 or a later vendor-supported fixed release.
- Inventory every deployment, device, package, plugin, container, build, and environment that uses freescout.
- Compare the installed version with the recorded affected range: < 1.8.224.
- Upgrade freescout to 1.8.224 or a later vendor-supported fixed release.
- Until patched, reduce public exposure, disable the affected workflow where practical, and allow access only from trusted users and systems.
- Review configuration, roles, tokens, network paths, and exposed endpoints connected to freescout; remove access that is not required.
- Review application, DNS, network, CI, and audit logs for unusual secret access, exports, or outbound transmission.
- If exploitation is suspected, isolate affected assets, preserve evidence, rotate exposed credentials or keys, restore trusted data, and rebuild compromised systems before returning them to service.
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Verify the fix
- Confirm every affected asset now runs the fixed vendor-supported release or has the documented mitigation for CVE-2026-53595 in place.
- Use a safe regression test to confirm the affected sensitive-information exposure path no longer produces the vulnerable behavior.
- Confirm temporary access controls, endpoint restrictions, network blocks, and least-privilege settings remain effective after the update.
- Review post-remediation logs and rerun Fixnx plus the relevant package, dependency, firmware, browser, or product-specific security check.
- Document affected assets, versions, changes, validation evidence, reviewed logs, and any credential rotation, cleanup, or replacement completed.
Related categories
Related security risks
More published guidance from the same primary category.
Trusted references
FAQ
What is affected by CVE-2026-53595?
freescout-help-desk freescout versions listed as affected should be reviewed: < 1.8.224.
What should I fix first?
Start with internet-facing sites, admin panels, login flows, plugins, themes, modules, packages, and systems that process user-controlled input or sensitive data.
How do I confirm the fix worked?
Apply the patched version or mitigation, clear caches where relevant, retest the affected workflow, and run a new Fixnx scan to verify public website exposure signals.
How are Fixnx security risk categories chosen?
Fixnx keeps one canonical risk page and assigns only broad, relevant categories such as ecosystem, technology area, or vulnerability class.