CVE-2026-41189: CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization in freescout-help-desk freescout
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.215, customer-thread editing is authorized through `ThreadPolicy::edit()`, which checks mailbox access but does not apply the assigned-only restriction from `ConversationPolicy`. A user who cannot view a conversation can still load and edit customer-authored threads inside it. Version 1.8.215 fixes the vulnerability.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
FreeScout, a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox application, had an authorization flaw before version 1.8.215. The vulnerability stems from the ThreadPolicy::edit() method authorizing thread edits based solely on mailbox access, neglecting the assigned-only restriction enforced by ConversationPolicy. Consequently, users lacking permission to view a conversation could still access and modify customer-authored threads within it. This incorrect authorization is classified under CWE-863. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1, indicating high severity. The issue is resolved in FreeScout version 1.8.215.
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited privileges can edit customer-authored threads in conversations they are not authorized to view. This can lead to unauthorized modification of help desk data, potentially impacting data integrity and trustworthiness of customer communications. The vulnerability does not affect availability and has limited confidentiality impact but a high integrity impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade FreeScout to version 1.8.215 or later, where this authorization issue is fixed. Since the vendor advisory confirms the fix in version 1.8.215, applying this official update is the recommended remediation. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor's versioning information. No additional mitigations are specified.
CVE-2026-41189: CWE-863: Incorrect Authorization in freescout-help-desk freescout
Description
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.215, customer-thread editing is authorized through `ThreadPolicy::edit()`, which checks mailbox access but does not apply the assigned-only restriction from `ConversationPolicy`. A user who cannot view a conversation can still load and edit customer-authored threads inside it. Version 1.8.215 fixes the vulnerability.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
FreeScout, a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox application, had an authorization flaw before version 1.8.215. The vulnerability stems from the ThreadPolicy::edit() method authorizing thread edits based solely on mailbox access, neglecting the assigned-only restriction enforced by ConversationPolicy. Consequently, users lacking permission to view a conversation could still access and modify customer-authored threads within it. This incorrect authorization is classified under CWE-863. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1, indicating high severity. The issue is resolved in FreeScout version 1.8.215.
Potential Impact
An attacker with limited privileges can edit customer-authored threads in conversations they are not authorized to view. This can lead to unauthorized modification of help desk data, potentially impacting data integrity and trustworthiness of customer communications. The vulnerability does not affect availability and has limited confidentiality impact but a high integrity impact.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade FreeScout to version 1.8.215 or later, where this authorization issue is fixed. Since the vendor advisory confirms the fix in version 1.8.215, applying this official update is the recommended remediation. Patch status is confirmed by the vendor's versioning information. No additional mitigations are specified.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-04-18T02:51:52.972Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 69e7b0e619fe3cd2cde9a4d6
Added to database: 4/21/2026, 5:16:22 PM
Last enriched: 4/21/2026, 5:31:17 PM
Last updated: 4/22/2026, 6:09:41 AM
Views: 11
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