CVE-2025-48482 in freescout
Summary
by MITRE • 05/30/2025
FreeScout is a free self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox. Prior to version 1.8.180, there is a mass assignment vulnerability. The Customer object is updated using the fill() method, which processes fields such as channel and channel_id. However, the fill() method is called with all client-provided data, including unexpected values for channel and channel_id, leading to a mass assignment vulnerability. This issue has been patched in version 1.8.180.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-48482 affects FreeScout, a self-hosted help desk and shared mailbox solution that enables organizations to manage customer support workflows. This system serves as a critical component for businesses requiring ticket management and communication handling, making its security paramount to overall organizational cybersecurity. The flaw exists within the application's data processing mechanisms, specifically in how customer objects are populated with information from client submissions. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to systems that rely on FreeScout for customer service operations, as it could potentially allow unauthorized modifications to critical system components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the Customer object's fill() method which processes incoming data without proper sanitization or field validation. When client-provided data is passed directly to this method, it accepts all parameters including those that should be restricted or controlled by the application's internal logic. The channel and channel_id fields become particularly problematic as they can be manipulated by attackers to inject unexpected values that bypass normal access controls. This mass assignment vulnerability allows malicious actors to modify object properties that should remain protected, effectively enabling unauthorized changes to system behavior or data structures. The flaw aligns with CWE-915, which specifically addresses improper control of a resource through a mass assignment vulnerability, where the application's object population mechanism fails to distinguish between legitimate and potentially harmful data fields.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification capabilities, as it can potentially enable attackers to gain deeper system access or manipulate critical customer support workflows. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to alter customer communication channels, modify system configuration parameters, or potentially bypass authentication mechanisms that rely on proper channel assignment. The vulnerability's presence in versions prior to 1.8.180 means that organizations using older deployments face significant risk, particularly those that handle sensitive customer data or operate in regulated environments where audit trails and data integrity are critical. This issue represents a particular concern for organizations that depend on shared mailboxes and help desk functionality for customer service operations, as unauthorized modifications could disrupt service delivery or compromise customer information.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released in FreeScout version 1.8.180, which addresses the mass assignment flaw by properly validating and sanitizing input data before processing. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts that may have occurred prior to patching. The remediation process should include reviewing access controls and implementing additional validation layers to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Security teams should monitor for any anomalous behavior in help desk systems following patch implementation, as attackers may attempt to exploit this vulnerability through automated scanning tools. The fix demonstrates proper defensive programming practices that align with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, by ensuring that only explicitly allowed fields are processed during object population, thereby preventing unauthorized data modification through mass assignment attacks.