Description
FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Prior to version 1.8.206, FreeScout's `TokenAuth` middleware uses a predictable authentication token computed as `MD5(user_id + created_at + APP_KEY)`. This token is static (never expires/rotates), and if an attacker obtains the `APP_KEY` — a well-documented and common exposure vector in Laravel applications — they can compute a valid token for any user, including the administrator, achieving full account takeover without any password. This vulnerability can be exploited on its own or in combination with CVE-2026-27636. Version 1.8.206 fixes both vulnerabilities.
Published: 2026-02-25
Score: 9.8 Critical
EPSS: < 1% Very Low
KEV: No
Impact: Account takeover
Action: Immediate Patch
AI Analysis

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Remediation

No vendor fix or workaround currently provided.

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History

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Freescout
Freescout freescout
CPEs cpe:2.3:a:freescout:freescout:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
Vendors & Products Freescout
Freescout freescout

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'yes', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Freescout Helpdesk
Freescout Helpdesk freescout
Vendors & Products Freescout Helpdesk
Freescout Helpdesk freescout

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 04:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Prior to version 1.8.206, FreeScout's `TokenAuth` middleware uses a predictable authentication token computed as `MD5(user_id + created_at + APP_KEY)`. This token is static (never expires/rotates), and if an attacker obtains the `APP_KEY` — a well-documented and common exposure vector in Laravel applications — they can compute a valid token for any user, including the administrator, achieving full account takeover without any password. This vulnerability can be exploited on its own or in combination with CVE-2026-27636. Version 1.8.206 fixes both vulnerabilities.
Title FreeScout's Predictable Authentication Token Enables Account Takeover
Weaknesses CWE-330
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 9.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}


Subscriptions

Freescout Freescout
Freescout Helpdesk Freescout
cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: GitHub_M

Published:

Updated: 2026-02-25T15:21:52.817Z

Reserved: 2026-02-20T22:02:30.029Z

Link: CVE-2026-27637

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-02-25T15:21:36.440Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Analyzed

Published: 2026-02-25T04:16:04.110

Modified: 2026-02-26T16:08:44.857

Link: CVE-2026-27637

cve-icon Redhat

No data.

cve-icon OpenCVE Enrichment

Updated: 2026-04-17T15:30:06Z

Weaknesses