CVE-2026-40497: FreeScout Vulnerable to CSS Injection via Stored Style Tag in Mailbox Signature (CSRF Token Exfiltration)
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.
Affected Software
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Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2026-40497?
The severity of CVE-2026-40497 is categorized as high due to its potential for CSS injection and CSRF token exfiltration.
How do I fix CVE-2026-40497?
To fix CVE-2026-40497, upgrade FreeScout to version 1.8.213 or later.
What versions of FreeScout are affected by CVE-2026-40497?
All versions of FreeScout prior to 1.8.213 are affected by CVE-2026-40497.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2026-40497?
CVE-2026-40497 is a CSS injection vulnerability that allows for the exfiltration of CSRF tokens.
Can CVE-2026-40497 impact the security of my application?
Yes, CVE-2026-40497 can significantly impact the security of your application by enabling unauthorized access through token exfiltration.