CVE-2024-29184 FreeScout Stored XSS to Privilege Escalation After CSP Bypass
Stored XSS in FreeScout allows attackers to bypass CSP and escalate privileges to Administrator by injecting scripts into user signatures.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2024-29184?
CVE-2024-29184 is a high-severity cross-site scripting vulnerability in freescout-helpdesk freescout, published on 22 Mar 2024. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
FreeScout is a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. A Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified within the Signature Input Field of the FreeScout Application prior to version 1.8.128. Stored XSS occurs when user input is not properly sanitized and is stored on the server, allowing an attacker to inject malicious scripts that will be executed when other users access the affected page. In this case, the Support Agent User can inject malicious scripts into their signature, which will then be executed when viewed by the Administrator.
The application protects users against XSS attacks by enforcing a CSP policy, the CSP Policy is: `script-src 'self' 'nonce-abcd' `. The CSP policy only allows the inclusion of JS files that are present on the application server and doesn't allow any inline script or script other than nonce-abcd. The CSP policy was bypassed by uploading a JS file to the server by a POST request to /conversation/upload endpoint. After this, a working XSS payload was crafted by including the uploaded JS file link as the src of the script. This bypassed the CSP policy and XSS attacks became possible.
The impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows an attacker to compromise the FreeScout Application. By exploiting this vulnerability, the attacker can perform various malicious actions such as forcing the Administrator to execute actions without their knowledge or consent. For instance, the attacker can force the Administrator to add a new administrator controlled by the attacker, thereby giving the attacker full control over the application. Alternatively, the attacker can elevate the privileges of a low-privileged user to Administrator, further compromising the security of the application. Attackers can steal sensitive information such as login credentials, session tokens, personal identifiable information (PII), and financial data. The vulnerability can also lead to defacement of the Application.
Version 1.8.128 contains a patch for this issue.
Weakness: CWE-79
Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-29184?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Freescout Freescout.
How do I fix CVE-2024-29184?
No fix has been published for CVE-2024-29184 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Escape output for the context it lands in and set a strict Content Security Policy. Upgrading the affected component is the real fix. More about Cross-site scripting.
Is CVE-2024-29184 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-29184 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in freescout-helpdesk freescout
- CVE-2026-28289 FreeScout 1.8.206 Patch Bypass for CVE-2026-27636 via Zero-Width Space Character Leads to Remote Code Execution
- CVE-2026-27637 FreeScout's Predictable Authentication Token Enables Account Takeover
- CVE-2026-32754 FreeScout: Stored XSS via Unescaped Email Template Rendering ({!! $thread->body !!})
- CVE-2024-29185 FreeScout OS Command Injection vulnerability
- CVE-2026-40498 FreeScout has Authentication Bypass and Information Disclosure in SystemController via /system/cron
Sources
Also known as GHSA-fffc-phh8-5h4v.