Account takeover via predictable static authentication tokens
Published Feb 25, 2026 · Updated Feb 25, 2026
Authentication token prediction in FreeScout before 1.8.206 allows remote attackers with the APP_KEY to take over any user account. TokenAuth compares the auth_token query value to a static MD5 digest of a user ID, creation timestamp, and APP_KEY, then logs in the matching user without password validation or token expiry. Exploitation requires the APP_KEY and a guessable creation timestamp; an attacker-set in_app cookie satisfies the remaining gate and permits administrator access.
Summary
What happened
Authentication token prediction in FreeScout before 1.8.206 allows remote attackers with the APP_KEY to take over any user account. TokenAuth compares the auth_token query value to a static MD5 digest of a user ID, creation timestamp, and APP_KEY, then logs in the matching user without password validation or token expiry. Exploitation requires the APP_KEY and a guessable creation timestamp; an attacker-set in_app cookie satisfies the remaining gate and permits administrator access.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-27637
- Published
- Feb 25, 2026
- Updated
- Feb 25, 2026
- Vendor
- FreeScout
- Product
- FreeScout
- Classifications
- CWE-330, T1606
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Feb 25, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Feb 25, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 1.8.206
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- GHSA-6gcm-v8xf-j9v9 token-forgery proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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